Apparatus for handling articles

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for conveying stickers to lumber stack.

REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS

The applicants claim priority benefit to U.S. Nonprovisional applicationSer. No. 14/719,612, filed May 22, 2015 entitled “Apparatus For HandlingArticles” which is a continuation of PCT application serial numberPCT/CA2013/000975 filed Nov. 25, 2013 which claims priorty to U.S.Provisional application Ser. No. 61/775,781 filed Mar. 11, 2013 entitled“Apparatus for Conveying Stickers to Lumber Stack”, and U.S. Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 61/729,751 filed Nov. 26, 2012 entitled“Apparatus”, the entire subject matter of which is incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects generally relate to (and are not limited to) an apparatusconfigured to handle (convey) items, such as stickers to be placed in alumber stack (for example).

BACKGROUND

The process of lumber handling has requirements for facilitating thedrying of lumber from a higher moisture content to a lower moisturecontent; the process includes spacing the layers of lumber (in a lumberstack) with items called stickers before the lumber stack is placed inan oven (dryer).

SUMMARY

We, the inventors, have researched a problem associated withwood-processing facilities, of the type (for example) used to processlumber or wood portions. After much study, we believe we have arrived atan understanding of the problem and its solution(s), which are statedbelow.

Technology has changed sawmill operations significantly in recent years,emphasizing increasing profits through waste minimization and increasedenergy efficiency as well as improving operator safety. Theonce-ubiquitous rusty, steel conical sawdust burners have for the mostpart vanished, as the sawdust and other mill waste are now processedinto particleboard and related products, or used to heat wood-dryingkilns. Co-generation facilities may produce power for the operation andmay also feed superfluous energy onto the grid. While the bark may beground down for landscaping bark dust, it may also be burned for heat.Sawdust (essentially a waste byproduct) may be used to make particleboard or may be pressed into wood pellets for pellet stoves. The largerpieces of wood that are not appropriate for making lumber may be chippedinto wood chips and provide a source of supply for paper mills. Woodby-products of the mills may also be used to make oriented strand board(OSB) paneling for building construction, which may be a cheaperalternative to plywood for paneling. It appears that reducing wastage ofwood portions, at least in part, is important for reducing costsassociated with operating a wood processing facility, such as a saw mill(for example), especially when the lumber includes hardwoods that areexpensive to replace when wasted as a result of errors or inadvertenthandling and/or manufacturing processes.

In order to mitigate the above, at least in part, in accordance with anaspect of our work, we (the inventors) have developed an apparatus forconveying stickers (or types of stickers) to a lumber stack. Theapparatus includes (and not limited to) an interface section including(and not limited to) a conveyor system configured to: (A) interface withan input having an input conveyance stream. Another operation mayinclude (B) interface with an output having an output conveyance stream.Another operation may include (C) receive items from the input at anintake rate in which the items are made available to the input. Anotheroperation may include (D) provide the items to the output at an exitrate in which the items are required to exit from the output.

In order to mitigate the above, at least in part, in accordance with anaspect of our work, we (the inventors) have developed an apparatusincluding (and not limited to) at least two in-feed sections configuredto receive respective stickers, each having corresponding outputsconfigured to be in selective conveyance communication with a downstreamconveyance path leading to a sticker-handling system.

In order to mitigate the above, at least in part, in accordance with anaspect of our work, we (the inventors) have developed an apparatus,including (and not limited to) an alignment mechanism configured toalign a sticker conveyed to the alignment mechanism in such a way as toalign the sticker along a centerline of the sticker at the at least twocentering points.

In order to mitigate the above, at least in part, in accordance with anaspect of our work, we (the inventors) have developed an apparatus,including (and is not limited to) a centering mechanism. The centeringmechanism is configured to align a sticker conveyed to the centeringmechanism in such a way as to center the sticker at the at least twocentering points relative to a reference point.

In order to mitigate the above, at least in part, in accordance with anaspect of our work, we (the inventors) have developed an apparatus,including (and not limited to); an interface section including aconveyor system configured to: (A) interface with an input having aninput conveyance stream, (B) interface with an output having an outputconveyance stream, (C) receive items from the input at an intake rate inwhich the items are made available to the input, and (D) provide theitems to the output at an exit rate in which the items are required toexit from the output, and (E) convey the items through same path viaseparate conveyors.

In order to mitigate the above, at least in part, in accordance with anaspect of our work, we (the inventors) have developed an apparatus,including (and not limited to): an interface section including at leasttwo conveyors each being configured to: (A) operate at conveyance ratesbeing independent of each other, (B) receive from an input conveyancestream, and (C) provide to an output conveyance stream.

In order to mitigate the above, at least in part, in accordance with anaspect of our work, we (the inventors) have developed an apparatus,including (and not limited to): an in-feed path being configured toreceive at least any one of a first sticker type and a second stickertype; an out-feed path being configured to convey and to place acollection having any one of the first sticker type and the secondsticker type to a lumber stack in accordance with a predeterminedsticker pattern; and a travel path extending from the in-feed path tothe out-feed path, and the travel path being configured to accommodatetravel of any one of the first sticker type and the second sticker typefrom the in-feed path to the out-feed path.

In order to mitigate the above, at least in part, in accordance with anaspect of our work, we (the inventors) have developed an apparatus forconveying stickers to a lumber stack. The apparatus includes (and is notlimited to) an in-feed path being configured to receive stickers; anout-feed path being configured to convey and to place a collection ofthe stickers to the lumber stack in accordance with a predeterminedsticker pattern; a travel path extending from the in-feed path to theout-feed path, and the travel path being configured to accommodatetravel of the stickers from the in-feed path to the out-feed path; afatal ejection path extending from the travel path, and the fatalejection path is configured to eject an instance of the stickers inresponse to a sensor detecting a fatal dimension error associated withan instance of the stickers, and the instance of the sticker having thefatal dimension error is not usable for feeding to the in-feed path; anda non-fatal ejection path extending from the travel path, and thenon-fatal ejection path is configured to eject an instance of thestickers in response to a sensor detecting a non-fatal dimension errorassociated with the instance stickers, and the instance of the stickerhaving the non-fatal dimension error, but is mis-oriented, is usable forfeeding to the in-feed path.

In order to mitigate the above, at least in part, in accordance withother aspects of our work, we (the inventors) have developed andprovided other aspects as described in the claims and/or the descriptionand/or depicted in the drawings.

Other aspects and features of the non-limiting embodiments may nowbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the followingdetailed description of the non-limiting embodiments with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The non-limiting embodiments may be more fully appreciated by referenceto the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodimentswhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A to 1D depict example views of an apparatus.

FIGS. 2A to 2D depict example views of an in-feed section of theapparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 3A to 3E depict example views of a quality-control section of theapparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 4A to 4E depict example views of an interface section of theapparatus of FIG. 1A; and

FIGS. 5A to 5S depict example views of an out-feed section of theapparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 6A depicts a schematic representation of an example of theapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6B, 6C, 6D depict example cross-sectional profiles of instances ofa sticker used in the apparatus of FIG. 6A.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated byphantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. Incertain instances, details not necessary for an understanding of theembodiments (and/or details that render other details difficult toperceive) may have been omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the described embodiments or the application anduses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary”or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations. All of the implementationsdescribed below are exemplary implementations provided to enable personsskilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure andare not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is definedby the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,”“lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” andderivatives thereof shall relate to the examples as oriented in thedrawings. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by anyexpressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field,background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification, are simply exemplary embodiments (examples), aspectsand/or concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

FIGS. 1A to 1D depict the example views of the apparatus 100.

FIG. 1A depicts a schematic example of the apparatus 100. The apparatusis for conveying stickers (or types of stickers) to a lumber stack 10. Alumber stacker 6 is configured to place layers including lumber portions8. The apparatus 100 is configured to place layers of stickers onto eachlayer of lumber portions 8. Stickers are elongated pieces of lumber orother suitable material. Operation of the lumber stacker 6 and of theapparatus 100 are configured in such a way that the layers of lumberportions 8 and the layers of instances of the sticker 12 are placed oneon top of the other in an alternating fashion in such a way that thealternating layers pile so as to build a lumber stack 10. The apparatus100 is generally configured to handle the stickers in such a way as toreceive them and then to place the stickers in the lumber stack 10.

The lumber stack 10 is to be placed into an oven (known and not fullydescribed herein). The lumber stacker 6 is a known device, and is notdescribed in detail. The oven bakes the lumber stack 10 in such a way toremove an amount of moisture from the lumber stack 10. The layers oflumber portions 8 are green (that is, freshly cut portions of lumber),and the oven is used to remove moisture from the lumber so as tostabilize the lumber for subsequent use in manufacturing furniture orother lumber based products. The stickers are reused in this process. Inthe lumber stack 10, the stickers are placed in a spaced apartarrangement from each other so that air may flow through while thelumber stack 10 is placed and is dried in the oven. However, over timeand reuse, the stickers become worn out and/or change shape (as tobecome deformed). It is preferred to use stickers that are alignedstraight along their longitudinal axis when the stickers are placed inthe lumber stack 10. However, eventually old and worn out instances ofthe sticker are (eventually) removed from further use by or in theapparatus 100. For the case where the stickers are misshaped or lumberportions 8 deformed badly enough, the lumber stack 10 may not properlydry in the oven; that is, the lumber portions 8 may become inadvertentlywarped and unfortunately not usable for the purposes of manufacturingother wood based products, such as furniture, etc. For the case wherethe lumber portions 8 include hardwood lumber, the expense is even morepronounced on account of the relatively higher cost of hardwood lumberin comparison to softwood lumber. But on the other hand, there is a costnonetheless associated with scrapping softwood lumber for the case wheresoftwood lumber becomes inadvertently warped in the oven. It would beadvantageous to reuse those stickers classified as being acceptable tothe degree that once they are placed in the lumber stack 10, the reusedstickers reduce the occurrence or possibility of wastage as a result ofwarped boards that may otherwise result from using unacceptablestickers.

The apparatus 100 is configured in such a way that the apparatus 100receives the sticker 12 representing a first type of sticker, and asticker 14 representing a second type of sticker. The sticker 12 of thefirst type includes a shape that has substantially straight or flatfaced surfaces on all sides of the sticker 12. The sticker 12 may beusable in lumber stack 10 having instances of the lumber portions 8including softwood lumber. Sticker 14 may include a shape that has afluted relief positioned on opposite sides of the body of the sticker14, and this type of sticker 14 is used with instances of the lumberportions 8 that include hardwood pieces.

As depicted, the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited to): anin-feed section 102, a quality-control section 103, an interface section104, and an out-feed section 105. It will be appreciated that instancesof the in-feed section 102, the quality-control section 103, theinterface section 104, and the out-feed section 105 may be soldseparately or as an entire collection of sections as may be required.For example, for the case where a manufacturer or a wood processorrequires all of the sections of the apparatus 100, then all of thesections of the apparatus 100 may be supplied in this case. For the casewhere a manufacturer wants to purchase a selected section (or sections)of the apparatus 100, then the selected section or sections of theapparatus 100 may be manufactured and shipped (sold) to the manufactureras separate sections for this case and may be used as required by themanufacturer to suit their needs. By way of example, there may be a casewhere the manufacturer may require only the interface section 104; inthis case, the apparatus (100) includes the interface section 104without the other sections. The manner in which the manufacturer may usethe interface section 104 is left at the discretion of the manufacturer.It may be possible for the manufacturer to use the interface section 104for processing other types of wood products, such as logs, boards,planks (that is, items not limited to stickers per se), and in thiscase, the interface section 104 may be adapted in such a way toaccommodate other types of items (either wood based items or non-woodbased items) as may be required or desired by the manufacturer. Forexample, for the case where the manufacturer already owns a feedingsystem and therefore has no interest in the in-feed section 102, thequality-control section 103, and the interface section 104, but isinterested in using the out-feed section 105, then in this case theapparatus 100 includes the out-feed section 105, and the manufacturerthen installs the out-feed section 105 to their existing systems andprocesses accordingly.

According to an example, the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limitedto): an in-feed section 102, a quality-control section 103, an interfacesection 104, and an out-feed section 105. The in-feed section 102 isconnected to the quality-control section 103. The quality-controlsection 103 is connected to the interface section 104. The interfacesection 104 is connected to the out-feed section 105.

The remaining FIGS. depict additional examples of the aspects (details)of the various sections of the apparatus 100.

The lumber stack 10 includes alternating layers or instances of lumberportions 8 and instances of sticker 12; either sticker 12 or sticker 14depending on the operation of the in-feed section 102. A lumber stacker6 is configured to place (stack) layers of lumber portions 8 to thelumber stack 10 while the out-feed section 105 of the apparatus 100 isconfigured to place layers of stickers to the layers of the lumberportions 8 of the lumber stack 10. The lumber stacker 6 is known andtherefore not described here. In this manner, the lumber stack 10 isconstructed. Once the lumber stack 10 has been constructed, the lumberstack 10 is placed in an oven and baked for a predetermined amount oftime. The layers of lumber portions 8 are green and the oven is used toremove moisture from the lumber portions 8 before the lumber is furtherprocessed, for example, into finished floor boards. After the lumberstack 10 is cooked, the stickers are removed from the lumber stack 10and placed back into the in-feed section 102 of the apparatus 100, andare subsequently reused in the process of assembling another stack oflumber.

FIG. 1B depicts a side view of the example of the apparatus 100. Thedimensions of the sections of the apparatus (100) may be configured tofit a particular foot print as required by the manufacturer (end user).

FIG. 1C depicts a top view of the example of the apparatus 100.

FIG. 1D depicts a perspective view of the example of the apparatus 100.

FIGS. 2A to 2D depict the views of the in-feed section 102 of theexamples of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A depicts a schematic view the example of the in-feed section 102.By way of example, the in-feed section 102 includes (and is not limitedto): a combination of a first feed section 202, and a second feedsection 204. It will be appreciated that the in-feed section 102 mayinclude any number of the feed sections that may (or may not) be similarto the first feed section 202. For the sake of providing a simpleexample, two feed sections are depicted. The first feed section 202 isconfigured to receive the sticker 12, and the second feed section 204 isconfigured to receive the sticker 14. Each feed section may beconfigured to dispense a particular type of sticker to the apparatus100. For the case where the sticker 12 is required, the in-feed section102 is adjusted in such a way that the first feed section 202 isengaged, while the second feed section 204 is disengaged, so as todeliver (convey or feed) the sticker 12 to the downstream section of theapparatus 100. For the case where the sticker 14 is required, thein-feed section 102 is adjusted or manipulated in such a way that thesecond feed section 204 is engaged, while the first feed section 202 isdisengaged, so as to deliver or feed the sticker 14 to the downstreamsection of the apparatus 100. It will be appreciated that the in-feedsection 102 may be sold separately from the remaining sections of theapparatus 100. The second feed section 204 is depicted in the in-lineposition while first feed section 202 is depicted in the off-lineposition. In the in-line position, the second feed section 204 isenabled so as to feed the instances of the sticker 14 to the downstreamsection, which as depicted is the quality-control section 103. In theoff-line position, the first feed section 202 is on standby ready to beengaged or enabled so as to deliver the sticker 12 as may be required. Adirection 201 indicates the direction of travel of the in-feed section102. According to an option, the quality-control section 103 isconfigured to remain stationary regardless of whether the in-feedsection 102 is movable or not movable relative to the quality-controlsection 103.

A control system 206 is configured to control which of the first feedsection 202 and the second feed section 204 is enabled and selected insuch a way to feed items to the downstream sections.

FIG. 2B depicts another schematic view of the example of the example ofthe in-feed section 102. In accordance with FIG. 2B, the control system206 is configured to move the second feed section 204 to the off-lineposition, and to move the second feed section 204 into the in-lineposition.

FIG. 2C depicts a side view of a partial cutaway of the in-feed section102. In accordance with FIG. 2D (by way of example), the first feedsection 202 of the in-feed section 102 includes (and is not limited to):a frame assembly 208, a wheel assembly 210, a track assembly 212, ahopper assembly 214, a deep-pile chain assembly 216, a primaryunscrambler 218, a secondary unscrambler 220 (may include singulationfunction), and a bridge assembly 222.

The wheel assembly 210 is operatively connected to the frame assembly208, and extends downwardly therefrom. The track assembly 212 ispositioned on the ground, and is configured to interact with the wheelassembly 210. The hopper assembly 214 is supported by the frame assembly208. The hopper assembly 214 is configured to receive instances of thesticker 12, in any manner (unorganized or in a scrambled state). Thedeep-pile chain assembly 216 is positioned in the hopper assembly 214 insuch a way so as to convey the instances of the sticker 12 toward theprimary unscrambler 218. The primary unscrambler 218 is configured tomove and to unscramble the instances of the sticker 12 as the instancesof the sticker 12 are moved toward the secondary unscrambler 220. Thesecondary unscrambler 220 is configured to further unscramble and tosingulate the instances of the sticker 12 as the stickers are movedfurther toward the bridge assembly 222. The secondary unscrambler 220may be configured to singulate the instances of the sticker 12 ifrequired. The bridge assembly 222 is configured to convey the stickersfrom the secondary unscrambler 220 to the downstream section, which asdepicted is the quality-control section 103. Alternatively, the bridgeassembly 222 may be configured to couple to another section of theapparatus 100 for the case where the quality-control section 103 is notused. A direction 224 indicates the movement or flow of the instances ofthe sticker 12 through the first feed section 202. The second feedsection 204 may be substantially identical to that of the first feedsection 202 if so required. It will be appreciated that the aboveprovides a description of examples of the first feed section 202.

FIG. 2D depicts a top view of an example of the in-feed section 102. Inaccordance with FIG. 2D, a direction 225 indicates the direction ofmovement of the in-feed section 102 relative to the quality-controlsection 103. The quality-control section 103 is configured to bestationary mounted while the first feed section 202 and the second feedsection 204 are configured to be movable relative to the quality-controlsection 103. It will be appreciated that the first feed section 202 andthe second feed section 204 may be stationary positioned if so desired,and a bridge device (not depicted) may be configured to convey stickersfrom a selected one of the first feed section 202 and the second feedsection 204 to the downstream section of the apparatus 100 if sodesired.

The following provides additional description for the in-feed section102.

Generally speaking, the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited to):at least two feed sections 202, 204 configured to receive respectivestickers, each having corresponding outputs being configured to be inselective conveyance communication with a downstream conveyance pathleading to an automatic sticker placer mechanism.

According to a variation, the apparatus 100 is further adapted such thatthe at least two feed sections 202, 204 are each configured to movebetween an in-line position and an off-line position in such a way thatthe corresponding outputs of the at least two feed sections 202, 204alternate with each other between the in-line position and the off-lineposition.

According to a variation, the apparatus 100 is further adapted such thatthe corresponding outputs are operable in any one of an in-line positionand an off-line position in such a way that: (i) in the in-lineposition, at least one of the corresponding outputs is in conveyancecommunication with the downstream conveyance path, and (ii) in theoff-line position, the remaining corresponding outputs are not inconveyance communication with the downstream conveyance path.

According to a variation, the apparatus 100 is further adapted such thata track assembly 212 is configured to interface with the at least twofeed sections 202, 204 in such a way as to guide movement of the atleast two feed sections 202, 204 along a predetermined path.

According to a variation, the apparatus 100 is further adapted such thatthe at least two feed sections 202, 204 are configured to receivecorresponding items classified in accordance with a type of item.

The following provides additional description for the in-feed section102.

The in-feed section 102 is configured to (and is not limited to)alternate at least two (two or more) differing input types into asticker-handling system, such as the apparatus 100.

The apparatus 100 is an example of the sticker-handling systemconfigured to automatically convey stickers from a jumbled group or pile(that is, a non- singulated pile), and to present the stickers in apatterned arrangement to a top layer of the lumber stack 10. Thesticker-handling system is configured to receive stickers from aconveyance mechanism, and to mechanically present the stickers to thelumber stack 10.

The in-feed section 102 includes (and is not limited to) at least twofeed systems, such as (and not limited to) a first feed systemconfigured to receive a sticker of a first sticker type, and a secondfeed system configured to receive a sticker of a second sticker type.

The at least two feed systems are configured to be alternated either bypattern or at the discretion of an operator into feeding stickers to thesticker-handling system, such as the apparatus 100. It will beappreciated that there may be subsequent additional feed systems (athird feed system, and a fourth feed system, etc.).

Types of stickers may be classified by geometric parameters, species,ownership or other properties that are to be selected for subsequentfeeding to a downstream section of the apparatus 100 and/ or thesticker-handling system

According to a specific example, the in-feed section 102 includes (andis not limited to): feed sections each having a pile conveyancemechanism and an unscrambling system. The unscrambling system is definedas a system that is configured to provide a single layer of material outof a potentially multiple layer pile or grouping. The feed sections aremounted to a carriage system. An option includes that the feed sectionsare separately mounted to separate carriages either lineally switched orrotary switched.

In accordance with an example, the carriage system is configured to beshifted (moved) by a positioning system in such a way as to align withthe downstream section of the apparatus 100. The positioning systemalternatively extends or retracts so as to position a selected one ofthe feed systems into a functional position (in-line) with thedownstream section of the apparatus 100.

For example, the in-feed section 102 includes (and is not limited to)separate feed systems each driven independently into place by powereddrives, pulled in via cable system (for example), or hydraulically orelectrically sequenced into position (for example).

According to a variation, the in-feed section 102 is configured in sucha way that the at least two feed systems are stationary, and thestickers are transferred from the feeding systems to the downstreamsection of the apparatus 100 via alternating feed tipples or othermechanism configured to present the stickers in a reasonably consistentarrangement to the downstream section of the apparatus 100.

The at least two feed systems of the in-feed section 102 may include apile conveyance system joining to an unscrambling mechanism.Alternatively, the feed systems may include a pile conveyance,unscrambling mechanism, and a sticker singulation mechanism configuredto feed stickers to the downstream section of the apparatus 100. Forexample, the stickers may be fed from the in-feed section 102 to aconveyor of the downstream section of the apparatus 100.

The first feed section is configured to receive a type of sticker(fluted for example). The second feed section is configured to receiveanother type of sticker (plain for example). An example of the firsttype of sticker includes a fluted sticker having a relief or profileextending from opposite sides of the fluted sticker. A selected one ofthe first feed section and the second feed section may be moved into afeeding position (in line position) while the other feed section ismoved to a standby position (off line), and vice versa in an alternatingmanner in such a way that when required to handle one of the types ofstickers, the appropriate feed section is positioned in the feedingposition and engaged so as to begin feeding stickers to the apparatus100. One of the feed sections that is placed in standby position (idlemode) waits in an idle mode, and may receive additional stickers of aparticular type (can be loaded with more stickers as they are madeavailable). A selected feed system or section may be placed in thefeeding position and then may be feeding (conveying) their stickers(held in a magazine or storage bin) to the quality-control section 103or other downstream section of the apparatus 100.

For example, each feeder system of the in-feed section 102 includes astorage section that receives stickers, and the feeder system is slopedin such a way that the stickers are gravity fed to an unscrambler; thenthe unscrambler places each sticker on a conveyor of the downstreamsection of the apparatus 100.

The conveyor of the downstream section of the apparatus 100 includes(for example) a conveyor having (for example) a pair of ganged endlesslooped structures (such as chains) each having spaced apart lugs; eachpair of lugs is positioned on opposite endless looped structures, and isconfigured to receive and to move a sticker so as to move the stickeralong a flow path. According to an example, the sticker may be orientedin such a way that the sticker is substantially orthogonally aligned orintersects opposite endless looped structures.

In accordance with an example, the entrance of the downstream section ofthe apparatus does not include a lug-loader device (known and notdescribed herein); instead of using the traditional (known) lug-loaderdevice, the entrance directly feeds stickers to the conveyor, withoutany intervening ancillary device (such as the lug-loader device). Thisarrangement simplifies the apparatus 100. On the other hand, if sodesired, the lug-loader device is used.

Generally speaking, the in-feed section 102 is configured to alternatelyfeed at least two or more types of stickers to the next section of theapparatus 100. The in-feed section 102 is configured to receive and tohold stickers in a jumbled group or pile of unorganized stickers; thatis, non-singulated the in-feed section 102 is generally configured toconvey the stickers, one after the other, to the next section of theapparatus 100, in an orderly conveyance of singulated stickers.

Generally speaking, the in-feed section 102 includes and is not limitedto: a combination of a first feed section 202, a second feed section204, and a control system 206. The in-feed section 102 may include anynumber of required feed systems as may be required to suit a specificapplication; it is intended that each feed system contains acorresponding type of sticker.

Generally speaking, a control system is configured to: (A) operativelycouple to the first feed system and the second feed system, and (B)alternatively position any one of the first feed system and the secondfeed system between an in-line position and an off-line position,depending on a type of lumber stack 10 that needs to be assembled. Forexample, for the case where the lumber stack 10 includes hardwoodportions, then the fluted sticker type is to be placed in the stack. Forthe case where the lumber stack 10 includes softwood portions, then theplain-type stickers are to be placed in the lumber stack 10. For thecase where there is a requirement for a particular type of sticker to beused with a particular type of lumber stack 10, the controller thenpositions the preferred feed system in the in-line position. When thefirst feed system is positioned in-line, then the second feed system ispositioned off-line. For the case where the second feed section 204 ispositioned in-line, then the first feed section 202 is positionedoff-line. In the in-line position, any one of the first feed system andthe second feed system is positioned in such a way that the stickersexit the first feed system or the second feed system and enter the nextsection of the apparatus 100. According to an example, the next sectionis the quality-control section 103. According to another example, thenext section of the apparatus 100 includes the interface section 104because the quality-control section 103 is not included in the apparatus100 as may be required for some applications. In the off-line position,any one of the first feed system and the second feed system ispositioned in such a way that the stickers cannot exit the first feedsystem or the second feed system, and the stickers remain on standbyuntil required by the apparatus 100.

For example, each feeder system of the in-feed section 102 includes (andis not limited to) a storage section configured to receive stickers of atype of sticker, and the feed system is sloped in such a way that thestickers are gravity fed to an un-scrambler apparatus.

Generally speaking, the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited to)the at least two feed sections 202, 204 for stickers, each havingcorresponding outputs that are configured to be in selective conveyancecommunication with a downstream conveyance path leading to an automaticsticker placer mechanism.

According to a variation, the apparatus 100 is adapted such that atleast two feed sections 202, 204 are each configured to move between anin-line position and an off-line position in such a way that thecorresponding outputs of the at least two feed sections 202, 204alternate with each other between the in-line position and the off-lineposition.

According to a variation, the apparatus 100 is adapted such that thecorresponding outputs are operable in any one of an in-line position andan off-line position in such a way that: (A) in the in-line position, atleast one of the corresponding outputs is in conveyance communicationwith the downstream conveyance path, and (B) in the off-line position,the remaining corresponding outputs are not in conveyance communicationwith the downstream conveyance path (leading to another section oranother piece of equipment).

According to a variation, the apparatus 100 is adapted such that a trackassembly 212 is configured to interface with the at least two feedsections 202, 204 in such a way as to guide movement of the at least twofeed sections 202, 204 along a predetermined path. An actuation assemblyis configured to move the at least two feed sections 202, 204 along thetrack assembly 212.

According to a variation, the apparatus 100 is adapted such that the atleast two feed sections 202, 204 are configured to receive correspondingitems classified in accordance with a type of item.

In accordance with another example, the apparatus 100 includes (and isnot limited to) a controller configured to control at least two feedsections 202, 204 being configured to receive respective stickers. Thecontroller is also configured to control each of the at least two feedsections 202, 204 having corresponding outputs in such a way so as tocause the corresponding output to be in selective conveyancecommunication with a downstream conveyance path leading to asticker-handling system. For example, the controller may includeprogrammed instructions (or equivalent) configured to instruct thecontroller.

FIGS. 3A to 3E depict the example views of the quality-control section103 of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3A depicts a schematic view (top view) of an example of thequality-control section 103. The quality-control section 103 includes(and is not limited to) a conveyor 302 having a first main chain 304,and a second main chain 306 spaced apart from the first main chain 304.The first main chain 304 and the second main chain 306 may include (forexample) endless loop chains or endless loop belts. Each of the firstmain chain 304 and the second main chain 306 includes a lug 305extending from the first main chain 304, and a lug 307 extending fromthe second main chain 306. The first main chain 304 and the second mainchain 306 are longitudinally aligned along the quality-control section103 generally from an inlet 324 to an outlet 326. A flow direction 322indicates the flow of the instances of the sticker 12 from the inlet 324to the outlet 326. Positioned between the first main chain 304 and thesecond main chain 306 is a first sticker support 308 and a secondsticker support 310. The first sticker support 308 and the secondsticker support 310 generally extend from the inlet 324 to the outlet326. The first sticker support 308 and the second sticker support 310are spaced apart from each other. The first sticker support 308 and thesecond sticker support 310 are each configured to support instances ofthe sticker 12. The instances of the lug 305 and the lug 307 areconfigured to abut one side of the instances of the sticker 12. For thecase where the first main chain 304 and the second main chain 306 aremade to move, the first main chain 304 and the second main chain 306move the lug 305 and the lug 307 (respectively) in such a way so as tomove the instance of the sticker 12 that abuts the lug 305 and the lug307. Instances of the lug 305 are positioned along the first main chain304 in such a way that the instances of the lug 305 are spaced apartfrom each other evenly; the distance between the instances of the lug305 is called the lug pitch. Instances of the lug 307 are positionedalong the second main chain 306 in such a way that the instances of thelug 307 are spaced apart from each other evenly; the distance betweenthe instances of the lug 307 is called the lug pitch. Instances of thelug 305 and of the lug 307 are positioned across from each other on thefirst main chain 304 and the second main chain 306 in such a way that(for the case as depicted) the sticker 12 is moved along so that thelongitudinal axis that extends through the sticker 12 remainssubstantially orthogonally aligned relative to the first main chain 304and to the second main chain 306. Of course, other variations for thepositioning of the lug 305 and the lug 307 may be permitted so as toconvey the sticker 12 from the inlet 324 to the outlet 326 in anydesired fashion that is convenient for the purposes of inspecting thesticker 12 for quality related issues. It will be appreciated that inaccordance with an option, the quality-control section 103 may bereplaced by operators (humans) that inspect each sticker before thestickers are fed into the apparatus 100.

The quality-control section 103 further includes (and is not limitedto): a motor 312 configured to connect with and to move the second mainchain 306 and the first main chain 304 for the case where the first mainchain 304 is ganged to the second main chain 306. A motor controller 314is connected to the motor 312, and the motor controller 314 isconfigured to control operation of the motor 312 depending on a controlprogram stored in the memory of the motor controller 314; the controlprogram is configured to control operation of the motor controller 314so as to coordinate operation of the components of the quality-controlsection 103 with the operation of the other sections of the apparatus100.

The quality-control section 103 further includes (and is not limitedto): a detector 316 configured to be positioned relative to an instanceof the sticker 12 as the conveyor 302 moves the sticker 12, at least inpart, from the inlet 324 to the outlet 326. The detector 316 may includea laser device or other scanning device, etc. The detector 316 isconfigured to detect aspects of instances of the sticker 12 that pass bythe detector 316. By way of example, such aspects may include the widthof each instance of the sticker 12 and/or the height of each instance ofthe sticker 12, etc. A detector controller 318 is operatively connectedto the detector 316. The detector controller 318 includes anon-transitory machine-readable storage medium (also called memory)tangibly embodying executable instructions (code) that direct theoperation of the detector controller 318. The detector 316 communicatesinformation pertaining to instances of the sticker 12 that are made topass by the detector 316. The detector controller 318 is operativelyconnected to a sticker-ejection assembly 320. The sticker-ejectionassembly 320 is configured to eject undesirable instances of the sticker12 that pass by the detector 316, in response to receiving a commandsignal from the detector controller 318 for the case where the detectorcontroller 318 determined that the instance of the sticker 12 is notacceptable because the geometric attributes of the instances of thesticker 12 was not acceptable; that is, the instances of the sticker 12was either too wide and/or too tall, etc.

FIG. 3B depicts a schematic view (side view) of an example of thequality-control section 103. The first main chain 304 is aligned andpositioned above the first sticker support 308. The lug 305 extendsdownwardly, and abuts the instances of the sticker 12. As the first mainchain 304 moves the lug 305 forwardly from the inlet 324 to the outlet326, the lug moves the instances of the sticker 12 forwardly. As theinstances of the sticker 12 moves forwardly, the instances of thesticker 12 slides along a top surface of the first sticker support 308.The first sticker support 308 is positioned below the first main chain304. The example of FIG. 3B is used for the case where thesticker-ejection assembly 320 is positioned below the first main chain304; a specific implementation is depicted for this case in FIG. 3C. Forthe implementation depicted in FIG. 3C, the sticker-ejection assembly320 is configured to eject unacceptable instances of the sticker 12 in adirection that extends below the quality-control section 103 toward theground or reject pile, in which case gravity is used to pull the ejectedinstances of the sticker 12 to the ground.

FIG. 3C depicts a perspective view of an example view of thequality-control section 103. The instances of the sticker 12 enter thequality-control section 103 via the inlet 324. The outlet 326communicates with an auxiliary section of the quality-control section103. The second sticker support 310 is positioned below the second mainchain 306. The sticker-ejection assembly 320 is positioned in such a waythat the top surface of the sticker-ejection assembly 320 forms anextension to the top surface of the second sticker support 310 for thecase where the instances of the sticker 12 are determined to beacceptable. On the other hand, for the case where the instances of thesticker 12 were determined or detected to be not acceptable, thesticker-ejection assembly 320 is configured to rotate (move) so as tocause an opening in such a way that the unacceptable instances of thesticker 12 may fall vertically to the ground with the assistance ofgravity. Once the instances of the sticker are ejected in this manner,the sticker-ejection assembly 320 returns back to the normal position sothat acceptable instances of the sticker 12 may proceed to the outlet326. A rejection flow path 321 indicates the direction in which rejectedstickers take. Another name for the sticker-ejection assembly 320 is atippler mechanism.

For the case where the quality-control section 103 is required to have alonger reach or extent, the quality-control section 103 includes (and isnot limited to): an auxiliary section 360. By way of example, theauxiliary section 360 includes (and is not limited to) a first auxiliarychain 330 having an auxiliary lug 331 extending from the first auxiliarychain 330. A second auxiliary chain 328 is set apart from the firstauxiliary chain 330. An auxiliary lug 329 extends from the secondauxiliary chain 328. A drive 332 is configured to drive the secondauxiliary chain 328 and the first auxiliary chain 330. The drive 332 maybe configured to drive the chains of the auxiliary section 360 and thefirst main chain 304 and the second main chain 306 if so desired. Thequality-control section (103) further includes (and is not limited to) aframe assembly 311 configured to support the components of thequality-control section 103.

FIG. 3D depicts yet another schematic view (side view) of an example ofthe quality-control section 103. For the portion of the quality-controlsection 103 that has the detector, the first sticker support 308 ispositioned below the second main chain 306, and the instance of thesticker 12 is positioned below the second main chain 306, and theinstance of the sticker 12 slides along the top surface of the firststicker support 308 along the flow direction 322. The lug 307 pushes theinstance of the sticker along the flow direction 322.

FIG. 3E depicts yet another schematic view (side view) of an example ofthe quality-control section 103. For the portion of the quality-controlsection 103 associated with the auxiliary section 360, the top surfaceof the support 334 is used to support the instances of the sticker 12.The first auxiliary chain 330 is positioned below the support 334. Theauxiliary lug 331 extends upwardly from the first auxiliary chain 330,and abuts the instances of the sticker 12.

The following is an additional description of the quality-controlsection 103.

The quality-control section 103 interfaces with the in-feed section 102.The quality control section is configured to: (A) inspect and detecteach sticker as each sticker is moved through the quality-controlsection for potential quality issues (example, using a detector andcontroller, etc.), and (B) reject/remove flawed stickers that failinspection;

For the case where a flaw is detected, remove sticker from conveyor (byusing a tippler for example or other suitable device).

For the case where no flaw is detected, permit sticker to proceed movingalong a conveyor to the next section (downstream).

For example, the quality-control section 103 includes (and is notlimited to) a conveyor (such as a pair of spaced apart chains havingspaced apart lugs) configured to receive stickers from an in-feedsection, and move the stickers to the interface section 104 (or otherdownstream section). Each chain moves in sync. Each pair of lugs onrespective chains abuts and moves a sticker.

According to an example, the quality-control section 103 is configuredto: (A) inspect and detect each sticker as each sticker is moved throughthe quality-control section for potential quality issues example, usinga detector and controller, and (B) reject or remove flawed stickers thatfail inspection. For the case where a sticker flaw is detected in asticker under inspection, the quality-control section 103 is configuredto remove the sticker from the conveyor by using a tippler for exampleor other suitable device. For the case where no sticker flaw is detectedin the sticker under inspection, the quality-control section 103 isconfigured to permit the sticker to proceed moving along the conveyor tothe next section.

For example, the quality-control section 103 includes (and is notlimited to): a controller and a detector interfaced with the controller.The detector is configured to inspect each passing sticker, and providean indication to the controller as to whether the sticker is acceptable.An ejection mechanism is configured to eject an unacceptable sticker inresponse to receiving an ejection control signal from the controller forthe case where the controller received an indication from the detectorthat the sticker is unacceptable. For the case where a flaw is detected,the quality-control section 103 is configured to remove sticker fromconveyor by using a tippler device. For the case where no flaw isdetected, the quality-control section 103 is configured to permit thesticker to proceed moving along conveyor to the next section of theapparatus 100.

The quality-control section 103 includes for example (and is not limitedto): a conveyor 302 having a pair of spaced apart chains each havingspaced apart lugs. Each pair of lugs on respective chains abuts andmoves a sticker. The conveyor 302 is configured to: (A) receive stickersfrom the in-feed section 102, and (B) move the stickers to the interfacesection 104. Each instance of the first main chain 304 and the secondmain chain 306 moves in sync with each other. Each pair of lugs 312 onrespective chains abuts and moves a single sticker.

FIGS. 4A to 4E depict the example views of the interface section 104 ofthe apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A. The interface section 104 includes aninput portion configured to interface with the quality-control section103, with the in-feed section 102, or with any other equipment as may berequired. The interface section 104 includes an output portionconfigured to interface with the out-feed section 105, or with any otherequipment as may be required.

FIG. 4A depicts a schematic view (top view) of an example of theinterface section 104. The interface section 104 includes (and is notlimited to) a first pair of endless loop structures having a first chain402 and a second chain 404, and a second pair of endless loop structureshaving a third chain 406 and a fourth chain 408. The chains move alongthe direction 409. Instances of the lug 407 extend from the third chain406 and the fourth chain 408 in a similar way to the lugs ofquality-control section 103. That is, they are positioned opposite fromeach other. Instances of the lug 403 extend from the first chain 402 andthe second chain 404 in a similar way to the lugs of quality-controlsection 103. That is, they are positioned opposite from each other. Afirst motor 414 is configured to connect to and to actuate movement ofthe first chain 402 and the second chain 404. A controller 416 isconnected to the first motor 414, and is configured to control operationof the first motor 414. The motor 410 is connected to the third chain406 and the fourth chain 408. A controller 412 is connected to the motor410, and is configured to control operation of the motor 410.

The interface section 104 also includes support structure similar(functionally equivalent to) to the first sticker support 308 and thesecond sticker support 310 of FIG. 3A, but these supports are notdepicted in FIG. 4A for the sake of simplifying the content depicted inFIG. 4A.

FIG. 4B depicts another schematic view (side view) of an example of theinterface section 104, in which the first chain 402 is positioned belowthe support 405. The lug 403 extends upwardly from the first chain 402.The instance of the sticker 12 slides on the top surface of the support405. The lug 403 abuts the instance of the sticker 12 and moves thesticker 12 forwardly. The support 405 is positioned between theinstances of the sticker 12 and the first chain 402.

FIG. 4C depicts a perspective view of an example of the interfacesection 104. The interface section 104 further includes (and is notlimited to) a first drive unit 424 configured to drive the first chain402 and the second chain 404. A second drive unit 426 is configured todrive the third chain 406 and the fourth chain 408. An instance of apulley 428 is configured to align the fourth chain 408 so that thefourth chain 408 may form an endless loop. Another instance of thepulley 428 is configured to align the second chain 404 so that thesecond chain 404 may form an endless loop. A frame assembly 422 isconfigured to support the components of the interface section 104. Arotation member 430 extends laterally across the interface section 104and is configured to provide pulleys in such a way as to permit thechains to form endless loops. The interface section 104 includes aninput 418 and an output 420 located on opposite sides of the interfacesection 104. The input 418 is configured to connect the interfacesection 104 to the quality-control section 103 or to the in-feed section102 or to any other equipment located on the plant floor as may berequired. The output 420 is configured to interface the interfacesection 104 to the out-feed section 105 or to any other equipment as maybe required.

FIG. 4D depicts yet another schematic view (side view) of an example ofthe interface section 104. The first chain 402 is positioned lower thanthe position of the support 405. The instances of the sticker 12 aremade to slide or move along the top surface of the support 405. The lug403 extends upwardly from the first chain 402. The lug abuts theinstances of the sticker 12 as the first chain 402 moves the lug 403forwardly from the input 418 to the output 420.

FIG. 4E depicts yet another perspective view (top view) of an example ofthe interface section 104. The interface section 104 is configured insuch a way that the conveyor device (having first chain 402, secondchain 404, third chain 406, and a fourth chain 408 by way of example) isconfigured to convey instances of the sticker 12 through the output 420in such a way that the instances of the sticker 12 form a predeterminedpattern. The predetermined pattern may be such that each pair ofoppositely placed lugs 407 presents the instances of the sticker 12 oneafter the other via the output 420. The predetermined pattern may bethat some pairs of lugs have instances of the sticker 12 while otherpairs of lugs are empty (do not present any instances of a sticker). Thereason for this arrangement is that the out-feed section 105 may requireinstances of the sticker 12 presented in accordance with a predeterminedpattern as may be required for ultimate placement of the instances ofthe sticker 12 to the lumber stack 10.

It will be appreciated that the interface section 104 may be used inother types of handling systems. That is to say, in accordance withanother example, the interface section 104 is configured to handle othertypes of items other than stickers, such as for example boards, logs,flooring blanks, dimensioned wood products, pieces of inconsistentlyshaped objects, etc.

The following provides additional description of the interface section104.

The interface section 104 is not limited to handling stickers. Theinterface section 104 may be further adapted so as to handle otheritems, such as boards, logs, flooring blanks, dimensioned wood products,pieces of inconsistently shaped objects, non-wooden items, items havingany sort of material or composition, etc.

The interface section 104 may include (and is not limited to) a conveyorhaving a single chain, or one belt, or other equivalent device that maybe configured to be continuously joined so as to form a looped mechanismnot a disconnected mechanism, and/or a disconnected mechanism if sodesired and/or required.

The interface section 104 may include (and is not limited to) a conveyorhaving one or more lugs or lug sections, driven by a looped conveyorhaving a chain, belt, rope, cable, etc.

The interface section 104 includes (and is not limited to) a conveyorconfigured to convey the stickers (or other items) from an input sectionto an output section.

According to an option, the input section of the interface section 104is connectable to the in-feed (or in-feed system with lug-fillobservance. Lug-fill observance includes a mechanism configured toautomatically sense: (i) the presence of items, product, stickers, (ii)absence of items, and/or (iii) the incompatibility of the items. Theoutput section of the interface section 104 is connectable to anout-feed section.

Generally speaking, the interface section 104 includes (and is notlimited to) a conveyor. The conveyor includes (and is not limited to) aninput section, and an output section set apart from the input section.The conveyor is configured to operate in such a way that the conveyor:(A) receives stickers from the input section at the rate in which thestickers are made available to the interface section, and (B) providesstickers to the output section at the rate in which the stickers arerequired by the output section.

More specifically, the conveyor may be configured to operate in such away that the conveyor: (A) receives stickers from the quality-controlsection at the rate in which the stickers are made available by thequality-control section, (B) provides stickers to the out-feed sectionat the rate in which the stickers are required by the out-feed section,and (C) places the stickers in a predetermined pattern to be conveyed tothe output section.

According to an example, the conveyor includes two pair of spaced-apart(ganged) chains each having one or more spaced-apart lugs positioned onthe opposite chains. Motors may be connected to a respective chain orpairs or groups of chains. Each motor may have a controller configuredto control its respective motor. The controller is configured to executethe functional requirements of the interface section 104. Theobservation sensing system (known and not described here) may be used.For example, the controller may include programmed instructions (orequivalent) configured to instruct the controller.

A first chain (or group of) chains receives stickers from the inputsection at the rate required by the input section, while the second pairof chains provides stickers to the output section at the rate requiredby the output section.

A second pair of chains receives stickers from the input section at therate required by the input section, while the first pair of chainsprovides stickers to the output section at the rate required by theoutput section.

The first pair of chains and the second pair of chains alternateoperations at the input section and the output section.

A variation of the interface section 104 is such that the conveyor mayinclude a collection of individual (or groups) of chains that isconfigured to: (A) receive stickers from the input section at the raterequired by the input section, and (B) provide stickers to the outputsection at the rate required by the output section.

Generally speaking, the interface section 104 is configured to (A)interface with an input conveyance stream. The interface section 104 isalso configured to (B) interface with an output conveyance stream. Theinterface section 104 is also configured to (C) receive items from theinput conveyance stream at an intake rate at which the items are madeavailable via the interface with the input conveyance stream (once sointerfaced with the input conveyance stream). The interface section 104is also configured to (D) provide the items to the output conveyancestream an exit rate in which the items are required to exit via theinterface with the output conveyance stream (once so interfaced with theoutput conveyance stream), and (E) receive the items and provide theitems in such a way that the operation of receiving the items and theoperation of providing the items overlap each other at least in part.

The interface section 104 may further include a frame assembly that ispositioned relative to the input conveyance stream and the outputconveyance stream. The frame assembly is configured to support theitem-transfer assembly.

The interface section 104 may also include (and is not limited to) atleast two or more endless loop sets, where each set is separately drivenby an electric motor. Each endless loop set includes at least one ormore ganged continuous loop conveyors (having for example chains orbelts or cables). Each of the ganged loops includes protrusionsconfigured to abut and to move the items along a conveyance path.

The interface section 104 may include (and is not limited to) a set ofganged looped chains configured in such a way that: (A) at least onepair of ganged looped chains receive items from the input conveyancestream at an intake rate, and (B) at least another pair of ganged loopedchains provide the items to the output conveyance stream at the exitrate.

The interface section 104 may include (by way of example); a first pairof ganged looped chains, and a second pair of ganged looped chainsco-axially aligned with the first pair of ganged looped chains. Thefirst pair of ganged looped chains and the second pair of ganged loopedchains are configured such that as the first pair of ganged loopedchains receives items from the input conveyance stream at the intakerate, the second pair of ganged looped chains provides the items to theoutput conveyance stream at the exit rate.

The interface section 104 may be further configured to provide items tothe output assembly in accordance with a predetermined spacing betweenthe items (physical spacing and/or time spacing).

According to one option, the interface section 104 is configured to: (A)receive stickers from the quality-control section 103 at the rate inwhich the stickers are made available from the quality-control section103; and (B) provide stickers to the out-feed section 105 at the rate inwhich the stickers are required by the out-feed section 105.

According to another option, the interface section 104 includes (and isnot limited to) a conveyor system 401 (FIG. 4A) having (and not limitedto): a first pair of spaced-apart ganged instances of the first chain402 and the second chain 404 each having spaced apart lugs 406positioned thereon, and a second pair of spaced-apart ganged instancesof the third chain 406 and the fourth chain 408, each having spacedapart lugs 410 positioned thereon. The conveyor system 401 is configuredto: (A) receive stickers from an upstream section (such as fromquality-control section 103) at the rate in which the stickers are madeavailable to the interface section 104 from the upstream section (suchas from the quality-control section 103), and (B) provide stickers to adownstream section (such as the out-feed section 105) at the rate inwhich the stickers are required by the downstream section (such as theout-feed section 105). According to an option, the quality-controlsection 103 is not used; instead, the interface section 104 connects toan upstream section such as the in-feed section 102. According toanother option, the interface section 104 instead connects to anothersection that is not the out-feed section 105, and this other sectiontransfers stickers to the out-feed section 105.

For example, the first pair of chains receives stickers from the inputat the correct rate associated with the input while the second pair ofchains provides stickers to the output at the correct rate associatedwith the output.

For example, the interface section 104 includes (and is not limited to)a conveyor configured to convey the stickers or other items from aninput section to an output section. The input section is connectable tothe in-feed system (optionally with a lug-fill observance mechanism,known, for automatically sensing product presence or absence orincompatibility). The output section is connectable to the out-feedsection.

For example, the interface section 104 includes (and is not limited to)a conveyor including (and not limited to): an input section and anoutput section set apart from the input section. The conveyor isconfigured to operate in such a way that the conveyor: (A) receivesstickers from the input section at the rate in which the stickers aremade available to the interface section, and (B) provides stickers tothe output section at the rate in which the stickers are required by theoutput section.

For example, the interface section 104 includes (and is not limited to)a conveyor configured to operate in such a way that the conveyor: (A)receives stickers from the quality-control section at the rate in whichthe stickers are made available by the quality-control section, (B)provides stickers to the out-feed section at the rate in which thestickers are required by the out-feed section, and (C) places thestickers in a predetermined pattern to be conveyed to the outputsection.

A controller is configured to execute the functional requirements of theinterface section 104; in addition, the interface section 104 mayinclude a mechanism to detect whether an incoming lug is occupied; themechanism may be provided by a lug-observation sensing system (known andnot described here).

For example, a first chain or group of chains receives stickers from theinput section at the rate required by the input section, while thesecond pair of chains provides stickers to the output section at therate required by the output section. A second pair of chains receivesstickers from the input section at the rate required by the inputsection, while the first pair of chains provides stickers to the outputsection at the rate required by the output section. The first pair ofchains and the second pair of chains may alternate operations at theinput section and the output section.

A variation of the interface section 104 is such that the conveyor mayinclude a collection of individual or groups of chains that isconfigured to: (A) receive stickers from the input section at the raterequired by the input section, and (B) provide the stickers to theoutput section at the rate required by the output section.

According to an example, the apparatus 100 includes (and not limitedto): the interface section 104 including (and is not limited to) aconveyor system 401 configured to: (i) interface with an input 418having an input conveyance stream, (ii) interface with an output 420having an output conveyance stream, (iii) receive items from the input418 at an intake rate in which the items are made available to the input418, and (iv) provide the items to the output 420 at an exit rate inwhich the items are required to exit from the output 420.

According to a variation, the apparatus 100 is arranged such that theconveyor system 401 is further configured to receive the items and toprovide the items in such a way that the items are received and areprovided in an overlapping fashion, at least in part.

The items may include (for example and are not limited to): elongateditems, wooden-based items, wood products, logs, boards, items havingvariable dimensions, etc.

According to another variation, the apparatus 100 is further adapted insuch a way that the conveyor system 401 includes (and is not limitedto): an endless loop mechanism having protrusions configured to conveyinstances of the item one after the other. The endless loop mechanismmay include chains, belts, cables, etc., or the functional and/orstructural equivalent thereof.

According to yet another variation, the apparatus 100 is further adaptedsuch that the conveyor system 401 includes (and is not limited to): atleast two sets of at least one ganged continuous looped conveyor devicehaving protrusions configured to convey the items.

According to yet another variation, the apparatus 100 is further adaptedsuch that the conveyor system 401 includes (and is not limited to): (i)a first chain 402 and a second chain 404 ganged to each other, and (ii)a third chain 406 and a fourth chain 408 ganged to each other. The firstchain 402 and the second chain 404 are coaxially aligned with the thirdchain 406 and the fourth chain 408. The first chain 402, the secondchain 404, the third chain 406, and the fourth chain 408 are eachconfigured such that as the first chain 402 and the second chain 404receive items from the input 418 at the intake rate in which the itemsare made available to the input 418, the third chain 406 and the fourthchain 408 provide the items to the output 420 at the exit rate in whichthe items are required to exit from the output 420.

According to yet another variation, the apparatus 100 is further adaptedsuch that the conveyor system 401 is further configured to provide itemsto the output 420 in accordance with a predetermined spacing between theitems (spacing in either physical spacing and/or time spacing).

According to a general example, the apparatus 100 includes (and is notlimited to): an interface section 104 including a conveyor system 401configured to: (A) interface with an input 418 having an inputconveyance stream, (B) interface with an output 420 having an outputconveyance stream, (C) receive items from the input 418 at an intakerate in which the items are made available to the input 418; and (D)provide the items to the output 420 at an exit rate in which the itemsare required to exit from the output 420; and (E) convey the itemsthrough same path via separate conveyors.

According to another general example, the apparatus 100 includes (and isnot limited to): an interface section 104, including: at least twoconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 each being configured to: (A) operate atconveyance rates being independent of each other, (B) receive from aninput conveyance stream, and (C) provide to an output conveyance stream.

According to a third general example, the apparatus 100 includes (and isnot limited to): an interface section 104 including endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 each configured to interface with an inputconveyance stream and with an output conveyance stream. Each of theendless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 are configured to: (A) receiveitems from the input conveyance stream at an intake rate in which theitems are made available from the input conveyance stream; and (B)provide the items to the output conveyance stream at an exit rate inwhich the items are required to exit to the output conveyance stream.

According to a fourth example, the apparatus 100 includes (and is notlimited to) an interface section 104, including endless-loop conveyors402, 404, 406, 408 each configured to interface with an input conveyancestream and with an output conveyance stream. The endless-loop conveyors402, 404, 406, 408 are configured to operate in such a way that: (A) asan endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 receives from the input conveyancestream, remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do not receive fromthe input conveyance stream, and (B) as the endless-loop conveyor 402,404 provides to the output conveyance stream, the remaining endless-loopconveyors 406, 408 do not provide to the output conveyance stream.

According to a fifth general example, the apparatus 100 includes (and isnot limited to) an interface section 104 including endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 each configured to interface with an inputconveyance stream and with an output conveyance stream. Each of theendless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 are configured to: (B) receiveitems from the input conveyance stream at an intake rate in which theitems are made available from the input conveyance stream, (B) providethe items to the output conveyance stream at an exit rate in which theitems are required to exit to the output conveyance stream. Theendless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 are configured to operate insuch a way that: (A) as an endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 receives fromthe input conveyance stream, remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408do not receive from the input conveyance stream; and (B) as theendless-loop conveyor 402, 404 provides to the output conveyance stream,the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do not provide to theoutput conveyance stream.

According to a sixth general example, the apparatus 100 includes (and isnot limited to) an interface section 104 including: endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 each configured to interface with an inputconveyance stream and with an output conveyance stream. The endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 are configured to operate in such a waythat: (A) as an endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 receives, at least inpart, from the input conveyance stream, remaining endless-loop conveyors406, 408 provide, at least in part, to the output conveyance stream, and(B) as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 provides, at least in part, tothe output conveyance stream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406,408 receive, at least in part, from the input conveyance stream.

According to a seventh general example, the apparatus 100 includes (andis not limited to): an interface section 104 including endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 each configured to interface with an inputconveyance stream and with an output conveyance stream. Each of theendless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 are configured to: (A) receiveitems from the input conveyance stream at an intake rate in which theitems are made available from the input conveyance stream, and (B)provide the items to the output conveyance stream at an exit rate inwhich the items are required to exit to the output conveyance stream.The endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 are configured to operatein such a way that: (A) as an endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 receives,at least in part, from the input conveyance stream, remainingendless-loop conveyors 406, 408 provide, at least in part, to the outputconveyance stream; and (B) as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404provides, at least in part, to the output conveyance stream, theremaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 receive, at least in part,from the input conveyance stream.

According to an eighth general example, the apparatus 100 includes (andis not limited to): an interface section 104 including: endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 each configured to interface with an inputconveyance stream and with an output conveyance stream. The endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 are configured to operate in such a waythat: (A) as an endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 receives from the inputconveyance stream, remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do notreceive from the input conveyance stream, (B) as the endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 provides to the output conveyance stream, theremaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do not provide to the outputconveyance stream, (C) as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 receives,at least in part, from the input conveyance stream, remainingendless-loop conveyors 406, 408 provide, at least in part, to the outputconveyance stream, and (D) as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404provides, at least in part, to the output conveyance stream, theremaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 receive, at least in part,from the input conveyance stream.

According to a ninth general example, the apparatus 100 includes (and isnot limited to) an interface section 104 including endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 each configured to interface with an inputconveyance stream and with an output conveyance stream. Each of theendless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 configured to: (A) receiveitems from the input conveyance stream at an intake rate in which theitems are made available from the input conveyance stream, and (B)provide the items to the output conveyance stream at an exit rate inwhich the items are required to exit to the output conveyance stream.The endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 are configured to operatein such a way that: (A) as an endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 receivesfrom the input conveyance stream, remaining endless-loop conveyors 406,408 do not receive from the input conveyance stream, (B) as theendless-loop conveyor 402, 404 provides to the output conveyance stream,the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do not provide to theoutput conveyance stream, (C) as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404receives, at least in part, from the input conveyance stream, remainingendless-loop conveyors 406, 408 provide, at least in part, to the outputconveyance stream, and (D) as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404provides, at least in part, to the output conveyance stream, theremaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 receive, at least in part,from the input conveyance stream.

In accordance with another general example, the apparatus 100 includes(and is not limited to) a controller configured to control an interfacesection 104 including endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 eachconfigured to interface with an input conveyance stream and with anoutput conveyance stream. The controller is also configured to controlan interface section 104 in such a way that each of the endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408: (A) receive items from the inputconveyance stream at an intake rate in which the items are madeavailable from the input conveyance stream, and (B) provide the items tothe output conveyance stream at an exit rate in which the items arerequired to exit to the output conveyance stream. For example, thecontroller may include programmed instructions (or equivalent)configured to instruct the controller.

In accordance with another general example, the apparatus 100 includes(and is not limited to) a controller configured to control an interfacesection 104 including endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 eachconfigured to interface with an input conveyance stream and with anoutput conveyance stream. The controller also configured to control aninterface section 104 in such a way that each of the endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408) as an endless-loop conveyor 402, 404receives from the input conveyance stream, remaining endless-loopconveyors 406, 408 do not receive from the input conveyance stream, and(B) as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 provides to the outputconveyance stream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do notprovide to the output conveyance stream. For example, the controller mayinclude programmed instructions (or equivalent) configured to instructthe controller.

In accordance with another general example, the apparatus 100 includes(and is not limited to) a controller configured to control an interfacesection 104 including endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 eachconfigured to interface with an input conveyance stream and with anoutput conveyance stream. The controller also configured to control aninterface section 104 in such a way that each of the endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408: (A) receive items from the inputconveyance stream at an intake rate in which the items are madeavailable from the input conveyance stream, (B) provide the items to theoutput conveyance stream at an exit rate in which the items are requiredto exit to the output conveyance stream. The controller also configuredto control an interface section 104 in such a way that each of theendless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408: (A) as an endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 receives from the input conveyance stream, remainingendless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do not receive from the input conveyancestream, and (B) as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 provides to theoutput conveyance stream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408do not provide to the output conveyance stream. For example, thecontroller may include programmed instructions (or equivalent)configured to instruct the controller.

In accordance with another general example, the apparatus 100 includes(and is not limited to) a controller configured to control an interfacesection 104 including endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 eachconfigured to interface with an input conveyance stream and with anoutput conveyance stream. The controller also configured to control aninterface section 104 in such a way that each of the endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408: (A) as an endless-loop conveyor 402, 404receives, at least in part, from the input conveyance stream, remainingendless-loop conveyors 406, 408 provide, at least in part, to the outputconveyance stream, and (B) as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404provides, at least in part, to the output conveyance stream, theremaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 receive, at least in part,from the input conveyance stream. For example, the controller mayinclude programmed instructions (or equivalent) configured to instructthe controller.

In accordance with another general example, the apparatus 100 includes(and is not limited to) a controller configured to control an interfacesection 104 including endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 eachconfigured to interface with an input conveyance stream and with anoutput conveyance stream. The controller also configured to control aninterface section 104 in such a way that each of the endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408: (A) receive items from the inputconveyance stream at an intake rate in which the items are madeavailable from the input conveyance stream, and (B) provide the items tothe output conveyance stream at an exit rate in which the items arerequired to exit to the output conveyance stream. The controller alsoconfigured to control an interface section 104 in such a way that eachof the endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408: (A) as an endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 receives, at least in part, from the input conveyancestream, remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 provide, at least inpart, to the output conveyance stream, and (B) as the endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 provides, at least in part, to the output conveyancestream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 receive, at leastin part, from the input conveyance stream. For example, the controllermay include programmed instructions (or equivalent) configured toinstruct the controller.

In accordance with another general example, the apparatus 100 includes(and is not limited to) a controller configured to control an interfacesection 104 including endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 eachconfigured to interface with an input conveyance stream and with anoutput conveyance stream. The controller also configured to control aninterface section 104 in such a way that each of the endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408: (A) as an endless-loop conveyor 402, 404receives from the input conveyance stream, remaining endless-loopconveyors 406, 408 do not receive from the input conveyance stream, (B)as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 provides to the output conveyancestream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do not provide tothe output conveyance stream, (C) as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404receives, at least in part, from the input conveyance stream, remainingendless-loop conveyors 406, 408 provide, at least in part, to the outputconveyance stream, and (D) as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404provides, at least in part, to the output conveyance stream, theremaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 receive, at least in part,from the input conveyance stream. For example, the controller mayinclude programmed instructions (or equivalent) configured to instructthe controller.

In accordance with another general example, the apparatus 100 includes(and is not limited to) a controller configured to control an interfacesection 104 including endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 eachconfigured to interface with an input conveyance stream and with anoutput conveyance stream. The controller also configured to control aninterface section 104 in such a way that each of the endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408: (A) receive items from the inputconveyance stream at an intake rate in which the items are madeavailable from the input conveyance stream, and (B) provide the items tothe output conveyance stream at an exit rate in which the items arerequired to exit to the output conveyance stream. The controller alsoconfigured to control an interface section 104 in such a way that eachof the endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408: (A) as an endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 receives from the input conveyance stream, remainingendless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do not receive from the input conveyancestream, (B) as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 provides to the outputconveyance stream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do notprovide to the output conveyance stream, (C) as the endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 receives, at least in part, from the input conveyancestream, remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 provide, at least inpart, to the output conveyance stream, and (D) as the endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 provides, at least in part, to the output conveyancestream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 receive, at leastin part, from the input conveyance stream. For example, the controllermay include programmed instructions (or equivalent) configured toinstruct the controller.

FIGS. 5A to 5S depict the example views of the out-feed section 105 ofthe apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 5A depicts a schematic view (top view) of an example of theout-feed section 105. The out-feed section 105 includes (and is notlimited to) a conveyor system 507. Generally speaking, the conveyorsystem 507 is configured to move and to place instances of the stickerat an alignment position 501. A single instance of the alignmentposition 501 is depicted. It will be appreciated that the out-feedsection 105 may include any number of instances of the alignmentposition 501 as may be required. For example, for the case where thelumber stack 10 requires nine instances of the sticker 12 to bepositioned on any given layer of the lumber stack 10, then the out-feedsection 105 may include nine instances of the alignment position 501that are used in such a way that the conveyor system 507 is configuredto move and position nine instances of the sticker 12 on respectiveinstances of the alignment position 501. The interface section 104 maydeliver or provide a sequence of stickers suitable for the out-feedsection 105. Examples of the sequence of stickers are described inconnection with FIGS. 4E.

For the sake of simplifying the description of the out-feed section 105,the out-feed section 105 includes (and is not limited to): the conveyorsystem 507. The conveyor system 507 includes (and is not limited to): afirst chain 502, and a second chain 504. The first chain 502 and thesecond chain 504 are aligned in such a way so as to extend from an inletpositioned on the right side of FIG. 5A. The outlet is positioned at thebottom side of FIG. 5A. The first chain 502 and the second chain 504extend orthogonally relative to the outlet of the out-feed section 105.The second chain 504 is set apart from the first chain 502, and thefirst chain 502 and the second chain 504 extend parallel to each other.The first chain 502 and the second chain 504 include endless loops ofstructure such as chains or belts, etc. A first support 503 and a secondsupport 505 are positioned and aligned along a length of the first chain502 and the second chain 504. The first support 503 and the secondsupport 505 are configured to support (sliding) movement of instances ofthe sticker 12. Instances of a lug 506 extend from the first chain 502(one instance of the lug 506 is depicted for the sake of simplifyingFIG. 5A) at regular intervals along a length of the first chain 502.Instances of a lug 508 extend from the first chain 502 (one instance ofthe lug 508 is depicted for the sake of simplifying FIG. 5A) at regularintervals along a length of the second chain 504. The first chain 502and the second chain 504 are ganged so that they are rotatablysynchronized. A motor 510 is connected to the second chain 504, and isconfigured to actuate movement of the second chain 504 and the firstchain 502. A controller 512 is connected to the motor 510, and isconfigured to control operation of the motor 510. The direction 511indicates the direction of flow for incoming instances of the sticker12. According to FIG. 5A, the lug 506 and the lug 508 abut and move theinstance of the sticker 12 to the alignment position 501.

FIG. 5B depicts another schematic view (side view) of an example of theout-feed section 105. The first chain 502 is positioned below the firstsupport 503. The lug 506 extends upwardly from the first chain 502. Thelug 506 abuts and pushes the instance of the sticker 12 in such a waythat the sticker 12 slides along the first support 503. It will beappreciated that in accordance with one option, the first support 503and the second support 505 are not used, and the instances of thesticker 12 are positioned on and across from the first chain 502 and thesecond chain 504 (if so desired).

FIG. 5C depicts yet another schematic view (top view) of an example ofthe out-feed section 105, in which the instance of the sticker 12 wasmoved in such a way that the instance of the sticker 12 is now placed atthe alignment position 501 as a result of the conveyor system 507stopping forward movement. Once positioned on the alignment position501, the lug 506 and the lug 508 are moved away from the instance of thesticker 12 while the sticker 12 remains in a stationary position atalignment position 501.

FIG. 5D depicts yet another schematic view (top view) of an example ofthe out-feed section 105, in which a centering mechanism 513 is deployedor presented to the instances of the sticker 12. The centering mechanism513 may be called an alignment mechanism. The conveyor system 507remains deactivated so that the instances of the sticker 12 remain in astationary position at the alignment position 501. The centeringmechanism 513 includes (by way of example and is not limited to) a firstcentering member 514, a second centering member 516, a third centeringmember 518, and a fourth centering member 520. Generally speaking, thecentering mechanism 513 is configured to abut the instance of thesticker 12 in such a way that the instance of the sticker 12 remainscentered at the alignment position 501. More specifically, the centeringmechanism 513 is configured to abut (contact) the opposite sides of theinstance of the sticker 12 in a way that the instance of the sticker 12remains stationary.

As depicted in FIG. 5D, the first centering member 514, the secondcentering member 516, the third centering member 518, and the fourthcentering member 520 are set apart from the instance of the sticker 12.

FIG. 5E depicts yet another schematic view (top view) of an example ofthe out-feed section 105, in which the conveyor system 507 remainsdeactivated. The centering mechanism 513 makes contact with the instanceof the sticker 12 at two (or more) contact locations. For example, thetwo contact locations are offset from the ends of the instance of thesticker 12. When the centering mechanism 513 makes contact with theinstance of the sticker 12, the instance of the sticker 12 may beallowed to move within a level of tolerance.

FIG. 5F depicts yet another schematic view (top view) of an example ofthe out-feed section 105, in which the conveyor system 507 remainsdeactivated (inactive). The centering mechanism 513 is furtherconfigured to grip the instance of the sticker 12, and to move theinstance of the sticker 12 away from the conveyor system 507 to theoutlet of the out-feed section 105; the outlet is located at the bottomof FIG. 5F. The direction 524 indicates the direction of the movement ofthe instance of the sticker 12. According to an alternative, thecentering mechanism 513 is not configured to move the instance of thesticker 12 away from the conveyor system 507; another device is used togrip and move the instance of the sticker 12. The centering mechanism513 is configured to center the instance of the sticker 12.

FIG. 5G depicts yet another schematic view (top view) of an example ofthe out-feed section 105, in which three different instances of thesticker 12 are depicted. The instances of the sticker 12 located on theright side of FIG. 5G are depictions of the ideal sticker (straight andnot warped). It will be appreciated that not all of the stickers areideal stickers. The last two instances of the sticker 12 are deformed(misshaped or warped) as a result of having been reused. However, thequality-control section 103 has determined that these deformed instancesof the sticker 12 are acceptable enough for continued usage and thusfind themselves in the out-feed section 105, for placement in anavailable alignment position 501. The three instances of the sticker 12are depicted as all placed at the alignment position 501 for the sake ofdepicting the concepts of a sticker-horizontal pocket 530. The conveyorsystem 507 transports the instances of the sticker 12 to the alignmentposition 501, and at the alignment position 501, each instance of thesticker 12 remains within the sticker-horizontal pocket 530. Eachinstance of the sticker 12 is positioned such that the instancesintersect each other at the point where each of the lug 506 and the lug508 had contacted the instances of the sticker 12 at the centeringposition 526 and the centering position 528. The sticker-horizontalpocket 530 has a pocket width 532. The centering mechanism 513 of FIGS.5D to 5F is configured to center the position of the sticker 12 relativeto the alignment position 501.

FIG. 5H depicts yet another schematic view (top view) of an example ofthe out-feed section 105, in which instances of the sticker 12 weremoved from the output of the out-feed section 105 and then placed on alayer of the lumber stack 10. Each layer includes instances of thelumber portions 8 placed end to end and/or side to side. Each instanceof the alignment position 501 corresponds to positions on the lumberstack 10 that are to receive instances of the sticker 12 for each layerof the lumber stack 10. The sticker-horizontal pocket 530 is depictedfor each instance of the alignment position 501 on the layer of thelumber stack 10. The out-feed section 105 is configured to position theinstances of the sticker 12 into the respective instances of thesticker-horizontal pocket 530. The stickers are positioned or aligned onthe layer of the lumber stack 10 in such a way that the stickers areoriented generally or substantially perpendicular to the orientation ofthe lumber portions 8 of the lumber stack 10.

FIG. 5I depicts yet another schematic view (side view) of an example ofthe out-feed section 105. The alignment position 501 is projectedthrough the lumber stack 10. A sticker vertical pocket 534 is centeredabout the vertical projection extending through respective instances ofthe alignment position 501. The ends of the instances of the sticker 12remain within the sticker vertical pocket 534.

FIG. 5J depicts an end view of an example of the out-feed section 105.The out-feed section 105 includes (and is not limited to) the centeringmechanism 513, a carriage assembly 536, a frame assembly 540, and acarriage drive system 538. The lumber stack 10 is positioned at anoutboard position. The carriage drive system 538 extends from theinboard position located above the conveyor system 507 to the outboardposition located above the lumber stack 10. The carriage assembly 536 isconfigured to carry and support the controller 512. The carriage drivesystem 538 is configured to drive the centering mechanism 513 betweenthe inboard position and the outboard position.

FIG. 5K depicts yet another schematic view (side view) of an example ofthe out-feed section 105. The centering mechanism 513 includes (and isnot limited to): the centering member 516, the fourth centering member520, an arm assembly 548, a biasing assembly 544 (which may include aspring), a lift assembly 542, and a pivot assembly 546. The centeringmember 516 and the fourth centering member 520 are positioned andmounted to opposite ends of the arm assembly 548. The lift assembly 542is connected to a midsection of the arm assembly 548 at the pivotassembly 546. The pivot assembly 546 is configured to permit the armassembly 548 to pivot vertically relative to the arm assembly 548. Thebiasing assembly 544 is coupled to the arm assembly 548 and to the liftassembly 542. The biasing assembly 544 is configured to permit the armassembly 548 to pivot in response to the fourth centering member 520accidentally (inadvertently) striking against an instance of a sticker(or other object). The biasing assembly 544 is also configured to permitthe arm assembly 548 to return back to a substantially horizontalalignment once the lift assembly 542 is lifted because the inadvertentinterference with a sticker or other object is resolved.

FIG. 5L depicts a side view of an example of the out-feed section 105,in which the centering mechanism 513 is depicted gripping the sticker 12at a position that is extended away from the conveyor system 507 (notdepicted in FIG. 5L); that is, the sticker 12 is positioned away fromthe conveyor system 507 of FIG. 5J.

FIGS. 5M and 5N depict perspective views of an example of the out-feedsection 105, in which the centering mechanism 513 is depicted grippingthe sticker 12 at a position that is extended away from the conveyorsystem 507 (not depicted in FIG. 5M or FIG. 5N); that is, the sticker 12is positioned away from the conveyor system 507 of FIG. 5J.

FIG. 5O depicts an end view of an example of the out-feed section 105,in which the centering mechanism 513 is depicted gripping the sticker 12at a position that is extended away from the conveyor system 507 (notdepicted in FIG. 5O); that is, the sticker 12 is positioned away fromthe conveyor system 507 of FIG. 5J.

FIG. 5P depicts a side view of an example of the out-feed section 105,in which the centering mechanism 513 is depicted either gripping orcentering the sticker 12 at a position that is extended to the conveyorsystem 507 (not depicted in FIG. 5P); that is, the sticker 12 ispositioned on the conveyor system 507 of FIG. 5J.

FIGS. 5Q and 5R depict perspective views of an example of the out-feedsection 105, in which the centering mechanism 513 is depicted eithergripping or centering the sticker 12 at a position that is extended tothe conveyor system 507 (not depicted in FIG. 5Q or FIG. 5R); that is,the sticker 12 is positioned on the conveyor system 507 of FIG. 5J.

FIG. 5S depicts an end view of an example of the out-feed section 105,in which the centering mechanism 513 is depicted either gripping orcentering the sticker 12 at a position that is extended to the conveyorsystem 507 (not depicted in FIG. 5S); that is, the sticker 12 ispositioned on the conveyor system 507 of FIG. 5J.

The following provides additional description for the out-feed section105.

The out-feed section 105 includes (and is not limited to) one or moreinstances of the centering mechanism 513 (at least one mechanism). Atleast one instance of the centering mechanism 513 is configured to aligna set of spaced-apart stickers along the centerlines of each sticker ofthe set of spaced-apart stickers at the places where the at least twocentering points are located on each of the stickers.

The out-feed section 105 is configured to center (align) the sticker atthe at least two centering points positioned on the sticker, and toadjusting variance in the width of the sticker.

The set of spaced-apart stickers include elongated sticks. The out-feedsection 105 is configured to place the set of spaced-apart stickers inspace-apart arrangement on successively constructed horizontally-alignedlayers of a lumber stack 10. The spaced-apart arrangement is configuredto permit free flowing communication of air between thehorizontally-aligned layers of the lumber stack 10. The spaced-apartarrangement (of the spaced-apart stickers) is configured to define a setof outer limits or a set of horizontally-aligned footprints (also calledthe instances of the sticker-horizontal pocket 530). Eachhorizontally-aligned footprint of the set of horizontally-alignedfootprint corresponds to a respective sticker to be placed on eachhorizontal layer of the lumber stack 10. The out-feed section 105 isconfigured to place each sticker (of the set of spaced-apart stickers)in a respective horizontal footprint of the set of horizontally-alignedfootprints. Each horizontally-aligned footprint of a selected layer ofthe lumber stack 10 is vertically aligned with a correspondinghorizontally-aligned footprint of other layers of the lumber stack 10.The vertical alignment of each horizontally-aligned footprint of eachlayer of the lumber stack 10 defines the sticker vertical pocket 534.

The out-feed section 105 is configured to align the stickers bymechanically centering each sticker at least two points (exactly twopoints may be sufficient enough for a majority of circumstances). Theout-feed section 105 is configured to allow for variance in width at theat least two points. In that case, the out-feed section 105 is furtherconfigured to present the spaced-apart stickers either directly to thelumber stack 10, or to another mechanism (not depicted), and the othermechanism then places the set of spaced-apart stickers to the lumberstack 10. The centering mechanism 513 is configured to mechanicallycenter the sticker at the at least two centering points, and to allowfor variance in the width of at each of the at least two centeringpoints, and/or a variance in the width of the sticker.

Specifically, the out-feed section 105 includes (and is not limited to)two centering mechanisms (which may be called grippers) that are spacedapart so that each centering mechanism is positioned or located at thetwo spaced apart centering points located on each of the stickers. Theinstances of the centering mechanism 513 (which may be called analignment mechanism) are configured to move in a parallel fashion, andprovide center based alignment; that is, the centerline of the centeringmechanism 513 and the centerline of the sticker at both of the spacedapart centering points are positioned or oriented in-line with eachother. The two centering mechanisms are located on a single apparatus(such as the arm assembly 548 for example) that is connected to a liftassembly 542. The lift assembly 542 is configured to lift the armassembly 548 and the stickers that are gripped by the centeringmechanism 513. The carriage assembly 536 is connected to the liftassembly 542, and the carriage assembly 536 is configured to be moved,via the carriage drive system 538. The carriage drive system 538 movesthe centering mechanism 513 to a layer of the lumber stack 10 so as topermit the lift assembly 542 to place the stickers on the layer of thelumber stack 10, and the centering mechanism 513 releases the sticker sothat the stickers remain in their respective sticker-horizontal pocket530 on the layer of the lumber stack 10. Upon completion of placing thestickers on the layer of the lumber stack 10, the carriage 537 is movedfrom the outboard position (located above the layer of the lumber stack10) to the inboard position located within the out-feed section 105, sothat another set of stickers may be obtained for the next installationcycle to be repeated for positioning another set of stickers to anotherlayer of the lumber stack 10; then the cycle is repeated and anotherlayer is placed on the lumber stack 10 by the lumber stacker 6 of FIG.1A.

Generally speaking, the out-feed section 105 is configured to center,grip and place a pattern of stickers for each layer of the lumber stack10 as each layer of the lumber stack 10 is successively built by alumber stacker 6.

Generally speaking, the out-feed section 105 is configured to center andto grip each sticker at positions that are set back from the endsections of the sticker.

Generally speaking, the out-feed section 105 improves the placement ofwarped stickers in such a way so as to place the warped stickers withina respective sticker-horizontal pocket 530 on the layer of the lumberstack 10.

More specifically, a set of instances of the centering mechanism 513 isconfigured to center and to grip respective stickers of the set ofstickers conveyed into the out-feed section 105 at centering positionsthat are set back from end sections of each of the stickers.

The centering mechanism 513 is configured to detect whether a sticker ispresent, and for the cases where no sticker is detected by the centeringmechanism 513 (when a sticker was expected to be present), the out-feedsection 105 conveys a replacement sticker to the centering mechanism 513(at the centering position or grip position) that has no stickerdetected.

The centering mechanism 513 is configured to detect whether a stickerwas improperly positioned relative to the centering mechanism 513, andfor the cases where the centering mechanism 513 detected that a stickerwas improperly positioned in the grip position, the out-feed section 105removes and rejects the sticker, and conveys a replacement sticker tothe grip position of the centering mechanism 513.

Specifically, the out-feed section 105 includes a conveyor system 507having a pair of ganged chains each having opposed lugs.

Generally speaking, the out-feed section 105 is configured to convey aset of spaced-apart stickers to respective spaced-apart centeringpositions. The out-feed section 105 is also configured to maintain thespaced-apart alignment and position of each spaced-apart sticker at thespaced-apart centering positions within respective spaced-apartinstances of the sticker-horizontal pocket 530 positioned at thespaced-apart centering positions.

Generally speaking, the out-feed section 105 moves the spaced-apartstickers from the inboard position to the outboard position. At theoutboard position, the spaced apart stickers are placed on each layer ofthe lumber stack 10 in such a way that the spaced apart stickers remainwithin respective instances of the sticker-horizontal pocket 530 on eachhorizontal layer of the stack. Each horizontal layer is successivelybuilt.

Generally speaking, the out-feed section 105 places successive rows ofspaced-apart stickers in their respective instances ofsticker-horizontal pocket 530 on each layer of the lumber stack 10.

Each set of spaced-apart sticker received by the out-feed section 105 ismoved from the conveyor system 507 to the top layer of a stack oflumber.

Once the set of the stickers is placed on the top layer of the lumberstack 10, the lumber stacker 6 (not included with the out-feed section105 and is a known system) places another layer of lumber portions 8 onthe set of stickers that were placed on the top of the lumber stack 10by the out-feed section 105. The cycle is then repeated in such a way soas to alternate between layers of lumber portions 8 and sets of stickersbetween the layers of lumber portions 8 in the lumber stack 10.

A variation of the out-feed section 105 is such that the out-feedsection 105 is configured to place sets of stickers on opposite sides ofthe out-feed section 105 for the case where instances of the lumberstack 10 are placed on opposite sides of the out-feed section 105. Thisvariation may provide improved throughput efficiencies.

According to an example, the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limitedto) a centering mechanism 513 configured to align a sticker conveyed tothe centering mechanism 513 in such a way so as to align the stickeralong a centerline of the sticker at least two centering points.

The alignment of the stickers is ensured via mechanically centering thestickers on the at least two centering points and allowing for variancein the width of at each of the at least two centering points.

The centering mechanism 513 is configured to present the stickers eitherdirectly or to another mechanism for placement on a lumber stack 10.

According to an option, the out-feed section 105 includes (and is notlimited to) a detector assembly configured to detect a case where animproperly positioned sticker is present in the centering mechanism 513.The centering mechanism 513 is configured to release the improperlypositioned sticker in response to the detector assembly providing anindication of an improperly positioned sticker in the centeringmechanism 513. The conveyor system 507 is configured to convey areplacement sticker to the centering mechanism 513 in response to (A)the detector assembly detecting the improperly positioned sticker in thecentering mechanism 513, and (B) that the centering mechanism 513 isready to receive the replacement sticker.

According to an option, the out-feed section 105 includes (and is notlimited to) a detector assembly configured to detect a case where asticker is not present in the gripping assembly. The conveyor system 507is configured to convey a replacement sticker to the centering mechanism513 in response to the detector assembly providing an indication of nosticker is present in the centering mechanism 513.

The out-feed section 105 includes (and is not limited to) the centeringmechanism 513 configured to: (i) grip a sticker at positions on thesticker in which the positions are set back from end sections of thesticker, and the (ii) place the sticker on the layer of the lumber stack10.

The out-feed section 105 includes (and is not limited to) the centeringmechanism 513 configured to: (i) grip a sticker at positions on thesticker in which the positions are set back from end sections of thesticker, the (ii) place the sticker on the layer of the lumber stack 10in such a way that each sticker placed on each layer of the lumber stack10 remains within their respective sticker-horizontal pocket 530.

The out-feed section 105 includes one or more instances of the centeringmechanism 513 configured to align or center stickers along a centerlineof the stickers at least two points, so that the stickers once soaligned and placed in the lumber stack 10, are placed within respectiveinstances of the sticker-horizontal pocket 530 on each layer of thelumber stack 10. The instances of the sticker-horizontal pocket 530 arepositioned in a vertical orientation in the lumber stack 10, such thatone instance of the sticker-horizontal pocket 530 is positioned(projected) over another instance of the sticker-horizontal pocket 530of each layer of the lumber stack 10, for each sticker positioned andplaced in the lumber stack 10.

Alternatively, in accordance with another case, the alignment mechanismis configured to align each sticker in their respectivesticker-horizontal pocket 530, and auxiliary equipment is used forperforming the gripping and placement of the sticker (such as a vacuumsuction system having suction cups configured to grip the stickers asthe stickers remain in their respective instances of pocket.

According to an example, the centering mechanism 513 includes (and isnot limited to) two alignment mechanisms: a first pair of instances ofthe centering member 514, 516 and a second pair of instances of thecentering member 518, 520 (each of which may be called grippers), eachof which are spaced apart from each other at fixed positions or pointsrelative to each other. The instances of the centering member 514, 516,518, 520 are each configured to move in a parallel manner in such a wayas to provide center-based alignment of the stickers; that is, thecenterline of the instances of the centering member 514, 516, 518, 520and the centerline of the sticker at both centering positions or pointsare in-line relative to each other. Upon completion of placing thesticker on the lumber package, the instances of the centering member514, 516, 518, 520 are returned to a home position for the pick-up ofsubsequent stickers from the out-feed section 105.

According to an option, the out-feed section 105 is configured to gripthe stickers at positions on the stickers in such a way that the grippedpositions on the stickers maintains the central alignment of thestickers relative to each other once the stickers are placed on thelumber stack, each sticker positioned in a respective pocket on thelayer of the lumber stack 10.

Once the out-feed section 105 places the spaced apart stickers on alayer of the lumber stack 10, the stickers are centrally verticallyaligned relative to each other in such a way that the weight of thelumber stack may substantially bear down through the centrallyvertically aligned stickers, while reducing (minimizing) the loading ofthe weight of the lumber stack through the lumber portions of the lumberstack.

The stickers as positioned by the out-feed section 105 in the lumberstack bear as much weight as possible by increasing surface contact ofthe stickers as positioned by the out-feed section 105 onto or into thelumber stack.

The out-feed section 105 improves the placement of warped stickers, sothat the warped stickers as positioned in the lumber stack by theout-feed section 105 bear as much weight as possible even though thesticker is warped.

The quality-control section 103 may be used in conjunction with theout-feed section 105, such that the quality-control section 103 removeswarped (deformed) stickers. The sticker is warped to a degree that ifthe deformed sticker is placed on a layer of the lumber stack 10, thedeformed sticker does not remain within a respective sticker-horizontalpocket 530 positioned on the layer of the lumber stack 10. The overlydeformed sticker, if placed on the layer in the lumber stack 10, maytake on less load or weight of the lumber stack 10, and thus more load(weight) may be inadvertently (undesirably) transferred to the lumberportions of the lumber stack 10 along the vertical direction; this casemay lead to unwanted waste of lumber portions that become warped duringbaking in the oven.

For the case where the lumber stack is placed in an oven and is baked todrive out moisture from the green lumber portions in the lumber stack,and the green lumber is preloaded and bears some weight from the lumberstack, then the lumber portion becomes warped while it is baked (todrive out moisture); once removed from the oven, the lumber portion iswarped, damaged and not usable for further production; this condition isnot desirable for the case where the lumber portion includes relativelyexpensive hardwoods. The desire is to reduce the wastage of hardwoodsexiting from the ovens.

More specifically, the centering mechanism 513 is configured tocentrally align at positions that are set back from the end sections ofthe sticker, and to grip the sticker just so positioned within itssticker-horizontal pocket 530. Once the stickers are placed on eachlayer of the lumber stack 10, the stickers once placed are such that theinstances of the sticker-horizontal pocket 530 of each instance of thesticker 12 is located in a substantially vertically aligned arrangementthrough the lumber stack 10, one instance of the sticker-horizontalpocket 530 vertically positioned over another instance of thesticker-horizontal pocket 530 through the layers of the lumber stack 10.In this manner, the weight of the lumber portions 8 of the lumber stack10 are more evenly distributed in such a way that once the lumber stack10 is baked in the oven, the weight distribution is substantiallytransferred through the stickers placed in their respective instances ofsticker-horizontal pocket 530, while substantially reducing thedistribution of weight to the lumber portions 8 of the stack; in thismanner, the amount of inadvertent warping of the lumber portions 8 inthe lumber stack 10 may be reduced (at least in part) while the lumberstack 10 is baked in the oven.

Specifically, the out-feed section 105 includes (and is not limited to)a conveyor system 507 having a pair of ganged spaced-apart chains (whichmay also be called belts) each having opposed lugs positioned onopposite sides of the chains, each lug configured to abut a respectivesticker. The conveyor system 507 transports the stickers into theout-feed section 105 to an alignment position for each sticker.

Generally speaking, the apparatus 100 includes) and is not limited to) acentering mechanism 513. The centering mechanism 513 is configured toalign a sticker conveyed to the centering mechanism 513 in such a way asto center the sticker at the at least two centering points relative to areference point.

In accordance with another example, the apparatus 100 includes (and isnot limited to) a controller configured to control a centering mechanism513 in such a way as to cause the centering mechanism 513 to align asticker conveyed to the centering mechanism 513 in such a way as tocenter the sticker in at least two centering points relative to areference point. For example, the controller may include programmedinstructions (or equivalent) configured to instruct the controller.

FIG. 6A depicts the schematic representation of an example of theapparatus 100 of FIG. 1. FIGS. 6B, 6C and 6D depict examplecross-sectional profiles of a sticker used in the apparatus 100 of FIG.6A.

The apparatus 100 of FIG. 6A includes an in-feed path 600, an out-feedpath 602, and a travel path 604. The in-feed path 600 is configured toreceive at least any one of a first sticker type (such as the sticker12) and a second sticker type (such as the sticker 14). The out-feedpath 602 is configured to convey and to place a collection having anyone of the first sticker type and the second sticker type to a lumberstack 10 in accordance with a predetermined pattern. The travel path 604extends from the in-feed path 600 to the out-feed path 602. The travelpath 604 is configured to accommodate travel of any one of the firststicker type and the second sticker type from the in-feed path 600 tothe out-feed path 602.

According to the example depicted in FIG. 6A, the travel path 604extends from the in-feed section 102, through the quality-controlsection 103, through the interface section 104, and to the out-feedsection 105.

According to an option, the apparatus 100 also includes a first ejectionpath 606 extending from the travel path 604. The first ejection path 606is configured to eject the at least any one of the first sticker typeand the second sticker type in response to a sensor. The sensor isconfigured to detect a length dimension error (such as, the sticker istoo short lengthwise) that is associated with an instance of any one thefirst sticker type and the second sticker type that moves along thetravel path 604 (through the apparatus 100). The sensor is positionedalong the travel path 604. The sensor (active or passive) may be used inor along the travel path 604 in conjunction with the first ejection path606. The sensor (proximity sensor for example) is configured to detect(identify) the instances of the stickers that are too short (lengthwiseshort) are permanently removed (culled) from the travel path 604. Atippler assembly is positioned in the travel path 604, and the tipplerassembly is configured to remove the unwanted instances of the stickeralong the first ejection path 606; these unwanted instances of thesticker should not be re-introduced to the in-feed path 600, but are setaside for other potential uses.

According to an option, the sensor includes a length-detection mechanismhaving an adjustable under-length mechanism (that may be mechanicallyadjustable). The adjustable under-length mechanism is configured todetect instances of an under-length sticker (stick) that passes by theadjustable under-length mechanism; the instances of the under-lengthstick (undesirable sticks) drop out and away from the adjustableunder-length mechanism. The sensor may further include a scanner device;the instances of the stick (that are not classified as being underlength but as having a proper length) may pass by the adjustableunder-length mechanism, and then pass through a scanner area of thescanner device. The scanner device is known and is not further describedhere. The scanner device is configured to inspect the sticks for variousconditions such as: an over-length condition, an under-length condition,a dimension (such as height and width) condition, and/or astick-straightness condition. The stick-straightness condition may becalled a curve condition and/or a bow condition. A properly orientedstick (having a width dimension flat on the chain surface or on theconveyor surface) may show (or have): (A) a bow condition (for the casewhere the stick has a bow condition) in (or along) a vertical dimensionof the stick, and (B) a curve in a horizontal axis of the stick. Anadvantage with the apparatus 100 may have the ability to sense, eject,and replace (preferably automatically) an out-of-spec curved and bowedstick (preferably in the quality-control section 103 of the apparatus100 but not limited to the quality-control section 103).

According to another option, the apparatus 100 also includes a secondejection path 608 extending from the travel path 604. The secondejection path 608 is configured to eject the at least any one of thefirst sticker type and the second sticker type in response to a sensordetecting an error. The error may include any one of a height dimensionerror, a width dimension error, a curved dimensional error, and/or abowed dimensional error) associated with an instance of any one thefirst sticker type and the second sticker type that moves along thetravel path 604. The sensor (active or passive) may be used in or alongthe travel path 604 in conjunction with the second ejection path 608.The sensor is configured to detect (identify) the instances of thestickers in which their height is too short and their width is tooshort: that is, the height and width of the cross-sectional profile of asticker); and these unwanted stickers are permanently removed (culled)from the travel path 604. Reference is made to FIGS. 6B and 6C. FIG. 6Bshows an acceptable profile of a sticker 12 (both height 640 and width638 of the cross section of the sticker 12 are acceptable). FIG. 6Cshows an unacceptable profile of a sticker 12 (both the height 640 isnot acceptable and the width 638 is not acceptable, and this is not aninstance in which the height and width are accidentally switchedaround).

Returning back to FIG. 6A, a tippler assembly is placed in the travelpath 604. The tippler assembly is configured to remove the unwantedinstances of the sticker along the second ejection path 608; theinstances of the unwanted stickers should not be re-introduced to thein-feed path 600, but are set aside for other possible uses if sodesired.

According to an option, the apparatus 100 also includes a third ejectionpath 610 extending from the travel path 604. The third ejection path 610is configured to eject the at least any one of the first sticker typeand the second sticker type in response to a sensor detecting that aheight and width dimension of an instance of any one the first stickertype and the second sticker type that are correct but are switched witheach other. FIG. 6D depicts this case. FIG. 6D depicts the sticker ofFIG. 6C but merely switched in which the height of FIG. 6C is now thewidth of FIG. 6D (etc.). The profile of the sticker of FIG. 6D isacceptable but the cross-sectional profile is mis-oriented (not properlyoriented). The sticker of FIG. 6D is still acceptable if it is removedfrom the travel path 604 and then subsequently reintroduced to thein-feed path 600. A sensor (active or passive) may be used in or alongthe travel path 604 in conjunction with the third ejection path 610. Thesensor is configured to detect (identify) the instances of the stickersthat are mis-oriented; that is, the cross-sectional profile ismis-oriented - the height and width are correct in dimension (withintolerance) but that the sticker is flipped the wrong way in itscross-sectional profile. These instances of the sticker do not have tobe permanently removed from the travel path 604. Reference is made toFIGS. 6B and 6D; FIG. 6B shows an acceptable profile of the sticker 12(both height and width are acceptable). FIG. 6C shows the case where thesticker is accidentally flipped in cross-sectional profile. The heightand width are switched around relative to the orientation shown in FIG.6C.

Returning back to FIG. 6A, a tippler assembly is positioned in thetravel path 604. The tippler assembly is configured to remove unwantedinstances of the sticker along the third ejection path 610; theseinstances of the unwanted stickers may be re-introduced to the in-feedpath 600 because the cross-sectional profile of the sticker was not setup properly (the height and width dimensions are switched around) on thetravel path 604; the stickers rejected along the third ejection path 610have proper length dimensions.

According to an option, the apparatus 100 also includes a firstcollection assembly 626 configured to receive instance of any one thefirst sticker type and the second sticker type from the first ejectionpath 606. The first collection assembly 626 may include a bin and/or aconveyor, as may be desired.

According to an option, the apparatus 100 also includes a secondcollection assembly 628 configured to receive instance of any one thefirst sticker type and the second sticker type from the second ejectionpath 608. The second collection assembly 628 may include a bin and/or aconveyor, as may be desired.

Generally speaking, the instances of the first sticker type and thesecond sticker type that are received by the first collection assembly626 and by the second collection assembly 628 are not reused or notplaced back into the in-feed section 102; the reason is that theseinstances of the sticker do not satisfy the dimensional requirements ofany one of a length dimension, a width dimension, a height dimension, acurve dimension, and/or a bow dimension). These instances may be culled(that is, permanently removed) from the collection of stickers, ormanually re-checked for dimensional tolerances if so desired to confirmthat the dimensional sensors are properly operating.

According to an option, the apparatus 100 is adjusted such that thethird ejection path 610 includes a separator assembly 622, a firstejector track 612, and a second ejector track 614. The separatorassembly 622 is configured to operatively connect to the third ejectionpath 610. The first ejector track 612 extends from the separatorassembly 622. The second ejector track 614 extends from the separatorassembly 622. The separator assembly 622 is configured to (A) receiveinstance of any one the first sticker type and the second sticker typefrom the third ejection path 610. The separator assembly 622 is alsoconfigured to (B) convey an instance of any one the first sticker typeand the second sticker type to the first ejector track 612 for the casewhere the instance is a member of first sticker type. The separatorassembly 622 is also configured to (C) convey an instance of any one thefirst sticker type and the second sticker type to the second ejectortrack 614 for the case where the instance is a member of second stickertype.

According to an option, the apparatus 100 also includes a firstcollector assembly 630, and a second collector assembly 632. The firstcollector assembly 630 is configured to receive instance of any one thefirst sticker type and the second sticker type from the first ejectortrack 612. The second collector assembly 632 is configured to receiveinstance of any one the first sticker type and the second sticker typefrom the second ejector track 614. The first collector assembly 630 andthe second collector assembly 632 may include a bin and/or a conveyor,as may be desired.

The instances of the first sticker type and the second sticker type thatare received by the first collector assembly 630 and by the secondcollector assembly 632 may be reused or placed into the in-feed section102, since these instances satisfy the dimensional requirements oflength, width and height.

It will be appreciated that there may be any number of ejection pathsthat may be implemented in the apparatus 100 for a particularapplication requires. The quality-control section 103 includes the firstejection path 606, the second ejection path 608, and the third ejectionpath 610; this is the preferred set-up for apparatus 100. However itwill be appreciated that the first ejection path 606, the secondejection path 608, and the third ejection path 610 may be positionedwhere desired or where convenient in the apparatus 100 (depending on aparticular application).

After the instance of the stickers depart the quality-control section103, the stickers may become accidentally flipped, the cross-section isflipped) as a result of the conveyor of interface section 104accidentally jarring the instances of the sticker as the stickers travelthrough the interface section 104 toward the out-feed section 105. Theseinstances of the sticker flip, dance, jarred. The discharge path 616 maybe used to remove these misaligned stickers (cross-sectional misalignedstickers) from the travel path 604.

For example, the centering mechanism 513 (also may be called a gripper)may be further configured to detect profile mis-orientation of instancesof the sticker prior to the centering mechanism 513 gripping and pickingup the instance of the sticker. The centering mechanism 513 may includea sensor configured to detect the height and the width of the instanceof a sticker, and logic may be used to determine whether the sticker hasbecome mis-oriented (the height and width are accidentally flipped orswitched around).

For the case where at least one instance of the centering mechanism 513of the out-feed section 105 (of FIG. 5J), such as the gripper forexample, has detected or sensed certain conditions (such as condition(A) and/or condition (B), then certain actions may be taken. Forexample, condition (A) includes profile mis-orientation associated withan instance of a sticker. Condition (B) includes another dimensionalabnormality. The certain actions may include (for example) the remaininginstances of the centering mechanism 513 pick up (grip) their associatedinstances of the stickers (provided these associated instances of thestickers have proper dimensions and/or proper cross-sectionalorientation). Then, the conveyor system 507 of the out-feed section 105flushes out (removes) the instance(s) of the sticker having profilemis-orientation (or any other dimensional errors) toward and out throughthe discharge path 616. Then the conveyor system 507 receives a freshset of stickers (in accordance with a predetermined sticker pattern asmay be required) from the interface section 104. Then the centeringmechanism 513 that is currently empty may now retest the instance of asticker placed immediately underneath the centering mechanism 513. Forthe case where the sensor of the centering mechanism 513 detects thatthe sticker has a cross-sectional profile (or the sensor tests anddetects for all or some additional dimensional attributes if so desired)that is acceptable, then the centering mechanism 513 picks up thatacceptable sticker. Then the instances of the centering mechanism 513may then proceed to convey their stickers via the travel path 604 andout via the out-feed path 602, while the remaining stickers positionedon the conveyor system 507 are moved out via the discharge path 616.Now, the out-feed section 105 may receive another fresh set of stickers(in accordance with a predetermined sticker pattern) from the interfacesection 104, and the cycle may be repeated accordingly.

According to an option, the apparatus 100 also includes a discharge path616 extending from the travel path 604 through the out-feed section 105.The discharge path 616 is configured to eject the at least any one ofthe first sticker type and the second sticker type in response to asensor detecting that a height and width dimension of an instance of anyone the first sticker type and the second sticker type are correct butswitched with each other. It will be appreciated that there may be anynumber of discharge (ejection) paths due to quality control reasons.

According to an option, the discharge path 616 includes a separationassembly 624, a first discharge track 618, and a second discharge path620. The separation assembly 624 is configured to operatively connect tothe discharge path 616. The first discharge track 618 extends from theseparation assembly 624. The second discharge path 620 extends from theseparation assembly 624. The separation assembly 624 is configured to(A) receive instance of any one the first sticker type and the secondsticker type from the discharge path 616. The separation assembly 624 isalso configured to: (B) convey an instance of any one the first stickertype and the second sticker type to the first discharge track 618 forthe case where the instance is a member of first sticker type. Theseparation assembly 624 is also configured to (C) convey an instance ofany one the first sticker type and the second sticker type to the seconddischarge path 620 for the case where the instance is a member of secondsticker type.

According to an option, the apparatus 100 also includes a first receiverassembly 634, and a second receiver assembly 636. The first receiverassembly 634 is configured to receive instance of any one the firststicker type and the second sticker type from the second discharge path620. The second receiver assembly 636 is configured to receive instanceof any one the first sticker type and the second sticker type from thefirst discharge track 618. The first receiver assembly 634 and thesecond receiver assembly 636 may include a bin and/or a conveyor, as maybe desired.

The instances of the first sticker type and the second sticker type thatare received by the first receiver assembly 634 and by the secondreceiver assembly 636 may be reused or placed into the in-feed section102, since these instances satisfy the dimensional requirements oflength, width and height.

Generally speaking, the apparatus 100 may includes a fatal ejection path601 extending from the travel path 604. The fatal ejection path 601 isconfigured to eject the at least any one of the first sticker type andthe second sticker type in response to a sensor detecting a fataldimension error associated with an instance of any one the first stickertype and the second sticker type. The instance of the sticker is notusable for feeding to the in-feed path 600. Examples of the fatalejection path 601 include the first ejection path 606 and the secondejection path 608. It will be appreciated that there may be any numberof discharge paths due to quality control reasons.

Generally speaking, the apparatus 100 may include a non-fatal ejectionpath 603 extending from the travel path 604. The non-fatal ejection path603 is configured to eject the at least any one of the first stickertype and the second sticker type in response to a sensor detecting anon-fatal dimension error associated with an instance of any one thefirst sticker type and the second sticker type. The instance of thesticker is usable for feeding to the in-feed path 600. Examples of thenon-fatal ejection path 603 include the third ejection path 610 and thedischarge path 616.

In accordance with an option, in which the apparatus 100 conveys onetype of sticker to the lumber stack 10, the apparatus 100 includes anin-feed path 600, an out-feed path 602, a travel path 604, a fatalejection path 601, and a non-fatal ejection path 603. The in-feed path600 is configured to receive the stickers. The out-feed path 602 isconfigured to convey and to place a collection of the stickers to thelumber stack 10 in accordance with a predetermined sticker pattern. Thetravel path 604 extendes from the in-feed path 600 to the out-feed path602. The travel path 604 is configured to accommodate travel of thestickers from the in-feed path 600 to the out-feed path 602. The fatalejection path 601 extendes from the travel path 604. The fatal ejectionpath 601 is configured to eject an instance of the stickers in responseto a sensor detecting a fatal dimension error associated with aninstance of the stickers (and the instance of the sticker is not usablefor feeding to the in-feed path 600). The non-fatal ejection path 603extendes from the travel path 604. The non-fatal ejection path 603 isconfigured to eject an instance of the stickers in responce to a sensordetecting a non-fatal dimension error associated with the instancestickers (and the instance of the sticker having the non-fatal dimensionerror, but is mis-oriented, is usable for feeding to the in-feed path600).

The following provides additional description applicable to anycontroller mentioned and/or described above:

According to one option, any one of the controllers identified above mayinclude controller-executable instructions configured to operate thecontroller in accordance with the description provided above. Thecontroller may use computer software, or just software, which is acollection of computer programs (controller-executable instructions) andrelated data that provide the instructions for instructing thecontroller what to do and how to do it. In other words, software is aconceptual entity that is a set of computer programs, procedures, andassociated documentation concerned with the operation of a controllerassembly (also may be called a data-processing system). Software refersto one or more computer programs and data held in a storage assembly (amemory module) of the controller assembly for some purposes. In otherwords, software is a set of programs, procedures, algorithms and itsdocumentation. Program software performs the function of the program itimplements, either by directly providing instructions to computerhardware or by serving as input to another piece of software. Incomputing, an executable file (executable instructions) causes thecontroller to perform indicated tasks according to encoded instructions,as opposed to a data file that must be parsed by a program to bemeaningful. These instructions are machine-code instructions for aphysical central processing unit. However, in a more general sense, afile containing instructions (such as bytecode) for a softwareinterpreter may also be considered executable; even a scripting languagesource file may therefore be considered executable in this sense. Whilean executable file can be hand-coded in machine language, it is far moreusual to develop software as source code in a high-level languageunderstood by humans, or in some cases, an assembly language morecomplex for humans but more closely associated with machine codeinstructions. The high-level language is compiled into either anexecutable machine code file or a non-executable machine-code objectfile; the equivalent process on assembly language source code is calledassembly. Several object files are linked to create the executable. Thesame source code can be compiled to run under different operatingsystems, usually with minor operating-system-dependent features insertedin the source code to modify compilation according to the target.Conversion of existing source code for a different platform is calledporting. Assembly-language source code and executable programs are nottransportable in this way. An executable comprises machine code for aparticular processor or family of processors. Machine-code instructionsfor different processors are completely different and executables aretotally incompatible. Some dependence on the particular hardware, suchas a particular graphics card may be coded into the executable. It isusual as far as possible to remove such dependencies from executableprograms designed to run on a variety of different hardware, insteadinstalling hardware-dependent device drivers on the controller, whichthe program interacts with in a standardized way. Some operating systemsdesignate executable files by filename extension (such as .exe) or notedalongside the file in its metadata (such as by marking an executepermission in Unix-like operating systems). Most also check that thefile has a valid executable file format to safeguard against random bitsequences inadvertently being run as instructions. Modern operatingsystems retain control over the resources of the controller, requiringthat individual programs make system calls to access privilegedresources. Since each operating system family features its own systemcall architecture, executable files are generally tied to specificoperating systems, or families of operating systems. There are manytools available that make executable files made for one operating systemwork on another one by implementing a similar or compatible applicationbinary interface. When the binary interface of the hardware theexecutable was compiled for differs from the binary interface on whichthe executable is run, the program that does this translation is calledan emulator. Different files that can execute but do not necessarilyconform to a specific hardware binary interface, or instruction set, canbe represented either in bytecode for Just-in-time compilation, or insource code for use in a scripting language.

According to another option, the controller includesapplication-specific integrated circuits configured to operate anyassembly or apparatus or system, etc., in accordance with thedescription provided above. It may be appreciated that an alternative tousing software (controller-executable instructions) in the controller isto use an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which is anintegrated circuit (IC) customized for a particular use, rather thanintended for general-purpose use. For example, a chip designed solely torun a cell phone is an ASIC. Some ASICs include entire 32-bitprocessors, memory blocks including ROM, RAM, EEPROM, Flash and otherlarge building blocks. Such an ASIC is often termed a SoC(system-on-chip). Designers of digital ASICs use a hardware descriptionlanguage (HDL) to describe the functionality of ASICs.Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) are used for building a breadboardor prototype from standard parts; programmable logic blocks andprogrammable interconnects allow the same FPGA to be used in manydifferent applications. For smaller designs and/or lower productionvolumes, FPGAs may be more cost effective than an ASIC design. Afield-programmable gate array (FPGA) is an integrated circuit designedto be configured by the customer or designer after manufacturing—hencefield-programmable. The FPGA configuration is generally specified usinga hardware description language (HDL), similar to that used for anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) (circuit diagrams werepreviously used to specify the configuration, as they were for ASICs,but this is increasingly rare). FPGAs can be used to implement anylogical function that an ASIC could perform. The ability to update thefunctionality after shipping, partial re-configuration of the portion ofthe design and the low non-recurring engineering costs relative to anASIC design offer advantages for many applications. FPGAs containprogrammable logic components called logic blocks, and a hierarchy ofreconfigurable interconnects that allow the blocks to be wiredtogether—somewhat like many (changeable) logic gates that can beinter-wired in (many) different configurations. Logic blocks can beconfigured to perform complex combinational functions, or merely simplelogic gates like AND and XOR. In most FPGAs, the logic blocks alsoinclude memory elements, which may be simple flip-flops or more completeblocks of memory. In addition to digital functions, some FPGAs haveanalog features. The most common analog feature is programmable slewrate and drive strength on each output pin, allowing the engineer to setslow rates on lightly loaded pins that would otherwise ringunacceptably, and to set stronger, faster rates on heavily loaded pinson high-speed channels that would otherwise run too slow. Anotherrelatively common analog feature is differential comparators on inputpins designed to be connected to differential signaling channels. A few“mixed signal FPGAs” have integrated peripheral Analog-to-DigitalConverters (ADCs) and Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) with analogsignal conditioning blocks allowing them to operate as asystem-on-a-chip. Such devices blur the line between an FPGA, whichcarries digital ones and zeros on its internal programmable interconnectfabric, and field-programmable analog array (FPAA), which carries analogvalues on its internal programmable interconnect fabric.

The following clauses are offered as further description of the examplesof the apparatus 100 and of the method associated with the apparatus100. Any one or more of the following clauses may be combinable with anyanother one or more of the following clauses. Any one of the followingclauses may stand on its own merit without having to be combined withanother other of the clauses. Clause (1): an apparatus 100 of any clausementioned in this paragraph, further comprising: an interface section104 including: a conveyor system 401 being configured to: interface withan input 418 having an input conveyance stream; interface with an output420 having an output conveyance stream; receive items from the input 418at an intake rate in which the items are made available to the input418; provide the items to the output 420 at an exit rate in which theitems are required to exit from the output 420; and convey the itemsthrough same path via multiple separate mechanisms. Clause (2): theapparatus 100 of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, wherein: theconveyor system 401 is further configured to receive the items and toprovide the items in such a way that the items are received and areprovided in an overlapping fashion at least in part. Clause (3): theapparatus 100 of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, wherein: theconveyor system 401 includes: an endless loop mechanism havingprotrusions being configured to convey instances of the item one afterthe other. Clause (4): the apparatus 100 of any clause mentioned in thisparagraph, wherein: the conveyor system 401 includes: at least two setsof at least one ganged continuous looped conveyor devices havingprotrusions configured to convey the items. Clause (5): the apparatus100 of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, wherein: the conveyorsystem 401 includes: a first chain 402 and a second chain 404 ganged toeach other; and a third chain 406 and a fourth chain 408 ganged to eachother; the first chain 402 and the second chain 404 being coaxiallyaligned with the third chain 406 and the fourth chain 408; and the firstchain 402 and the second chain 404 and the third chain 406 and thefourth chain 408 being configured such that as the first chain 402 andthe second chain 404 receive the items from the input 418 at the intakerate in which the items are made available to the input 418, the thirdchain 406 and the fourth chain 408 provide the items to the output 420at the exit rate in which the items are required to exit from the output420. Clause (6): the apparatus 100 of any clause mentioned in thisparagraph, wherein: the conveyor system 401 is further configured toprovide the items to the output 420 in accordance with a predeterminedspacing between the items. Clause (7): an apparatus 100 of any clausementioned in this paragraph, further comprising: an interface section104, including: at least two conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 each beingconfigured to: operate at conveyance rates being independent of eachother; receive from an input conveyance stream; and provide to an outputconveyance stream. Clause (8): an apparatus 100 of any clause mentionedin this paragraph, further comprising: an interface section 104,including: endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 each beingconfigured to interface with an input conveyance stream and with anoutput conveyance stream; each of the endless-loop conveyors 402, 404,406, 408 being configured to: receive items from the input conveyancestream at an intake rate in which the items are made available from theinput conveyance stream; provide the items to the output conveyancestream at an exit rate in which the items are required to exit to theoutput conveyance stream. Clause (9): an apparatus 100 of any clausementioned in this paragraph, further comprising: an interface section104, including: endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 each beingconfigured to interface with an input conveyance stream and with anoutput conveyance stream; the endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408being configured to operate in such a way that: as an endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 receives from the input conveyance stream, theremaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do not receive from the inputconveyance stream; and as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 provides tothe output conveyance stream, and any remaining endless-loop conveyors406, 408 do not provide to the output conveyance stream. Clause (10): anapparatus 100 of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, furthercomprising: an interface section 104, including: endless-loop conveyors402, 404, 406, 408 each being configured to interface with an inputconveyance stream and with an output conveyance stream; each of theendless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 being configured to: receiveitems from the input conveyance stream at an intake rate in which theitems are made available from the input conveyance stream; provide theitems to the output conveyance stream at an exit rate in which the itemsare required to exit to the output conveyance stream; and theendless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 being configured to operate insuch a way that: as an endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 receives from theinput conveyance stream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408do not receive from the input conveyance stream; and as the endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 provides to the output conveyance stream, theremaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do not provide to the outputconveyance stream. Clause (11): an apparatus 100 of any clause mentionedin this paragraph, further comprising: an interface section 104,including: endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 each beingconfigured to interface with an input conveyance stream and with anoutput conveyance stream; the endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408being configured to operate in such a way that: as an endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 receives, at least in part, from the input conveyancestream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 provide, at leastin part, to the output conveyance stream; and as the endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 provides, at least in part, to the output conveyancestream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 receive, at leastin part, from the input conveyance stream. Clause (12): an apparatus 100of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, further comprising: aninterface section 104, including: endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406,408 each being configured to interface with an input conveyance streamand with an output conveyance stream; each of the endless-loop conveyors402, 404, 406, 408 being configured to: receive items from the inputconveyance stream at an intake rate in which the items are madeavailable from the input conveyance stream; and provide the items to theoutput conveyance stream at an exit rate in which the items are requiredto exit to the output conveyance stream; and the endless-loop conveyors402, 404, 406, 408 being configured to operate in such a way that: as anendless-loop conveyor 402, 404 receives, at least in part, from theinput conveyance stream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408provide, at least in part, to the output conveyance stream; and as theendless-loop conveyor 402, 404 provides, at least in part, to the outputconveyance stream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408receive, at least in part, from the input conveyance stream. Clause(13): an apparatus 100 of any clause mentioned in this paragraph,further comprising: an interface section 104, including: endless-loopconveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 each being configured to interface with aninput conveyance stream and with an output conveyance stream; theendless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 being configured to operate insuch a way that: as an endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 receives from theinput conveyance stream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408do not receive from the input conveyance stream; as the endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 provides to the output conveyance stream, theremaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do not provide to the outputconveyance stream; as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 receives, atleast in part, from the input conveyance stream, the remainingendless-loop conveyors 406, 408 provide, at least in part, to the outputconveyance stream; and as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 provides,at least in part, to the output conveyance stream, the remainingendless-loop conveyors 406, 408 receive, at least in part, from theinput conveyance stream. Clause (14): an apparatus 100 of any clausementioned in this paragraph, further comprising: an interface section104, including: endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406, 408 each beingconfigured to interface with an input conveyance stream and with anoutput conveyance stream; each of the endless-loop conveyors 402, 404,406, 408 being configured to: receive items from the input conveyancestream at an intake rate in which the items are made available from theinput conveyance stream; and provide the items to the output conveyancestream at an exit rate in which the items are required to exit to theoutput conveyance stream; and the endless-loop conveyors 402, 404, 406,408 being configured to operate in such a way that: as an endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 receives from the input conveyance stream, theremaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 do not receive from the inputconveyance stream; as the endless-loop conveyor 402, 404 provides to theoutput conveyance stream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408do not provide to the output conveyance stream; as the endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 receives, at least in part, from the input conveyancestream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 provide, at leastin part, to the output conveyance stream; and as the endless-loopconveyor 402, 404 provides, at least in part, to the output conveyancestream, the remaining endless-loop conveyors 406, 408 receive, at leastin part, from the input conveyance stream. Clause (15): an apparatus 100of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, further comprising: at leasttwo feed sections 202, 204 being configured to receive respectivestickers, each having corresponding outputs being configured to be inselective conveyance communication with a downstream conveyance pathleading to a sticker-handling system. Clause (16): the apparatus 100 ofany clause mentioned in this paragraph, wherein: the at least two feedsections 202, 204 are each configured in such a way that thecorresponding outputs of the at least two feed sections 202, 204alternate with each other between an in-line position and an off-lineposition. Clause (17): the apparatus 100 of any clause mentioned in thisparagraph, wherein: the at least two feed sections 202, 204 are eachconfigured to move between an in-line position and an off-line positionin such a way that the corresponding outputs of the at least two feedsections 202, 204 alternate with each other between the in-line positionand the off-line position. Clause (18): the apparatus 100 of any clausementioned in this paragraph, wherein: the corresponding outputs areoperable in any one of an in-line position and an off-line position insuch a way that: in the in-line position, at least one of thecorresponding outputs is in conveyance communication with the downstreamconveyance path; and in the off-line position, the remainingcorresponding outputs are not in conveyance communication with thedownstream conveyance path. Clause (19): The apparatus 100 of any clausementioned in this paragraph, further comprising: a track assembly 212being configured to interface with the at least two feed sections 202,204 in such a way as to guide movement of the at least two feed sections202, 204 along a predetermined path. Clause (20): the apparatus 100 ofany clause mentioned in this paragraph, wherein: the at least two feedsections 202, 204 are configured to receive corresponding items beingclassified in accordance with a type of item. Clause (21): an apparatus100 of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, further comprising: acentering mechanism 513 being configured to align a sticker conveyed tothe centering mechanism 513 in such a way as to center the sticker in atleast two centering points relative to a reference point. Clause (22):the apparatus 100 of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, wherein:the centering mechanism 513 is configured to allow for variance in widthof at each of the at least two centering points. Clause (23): theapparatus 100 of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, wherein: thecentering mechanism 513 is configured to present the sticker forplacement on a lumber stack 10. Clause (24): the apparatus 100 of anyclause mentioned in this paragraph, further comprising: a detectorassembly configured to detect a case where an improperly positionedsticker is present in the centering mechanism 513; the centeringmechanism 513 is further configured to release the improperly positionedsticker in response to the detector assembly providing an indication ofthe improperly positioned sticker was detected in the centeringmechanism 513; and a conveyor system 507 being configured to convey areplacement sticker to the centering mechanism 513 in response to thedetector assembly detecting the improperly positioned sticker in thecentering mechanism 513 and that the centering mechanism 513 is ready toreceive the replacement sticker. Clause (25): the apparatus 100 of anyclause mentioned in this paragraph, further comprising: a detectorassembly configured to detect a case where the sticker is not present inthe centering mechanism 513; and a conveyor system 507 being configuredto convey a replacement sticker to the centering mechanism 513 inresponse to the detector assembly providing an indication of no stickersbeing present in the centering mechanism 513. Clause (26): an apparatus100, of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, for conveying stickersto a lumber stack 10, further comprising: an in-feed path 600 beingconfigured to receive at least any one of a first sticker type and asecond sticker type; an out-feed path 602 being configured to convey andto place a collection having any one of the first sticker type and thesecond sticker type to the lumber stack 10 in accordance with apredetermined sticker pattern; and a travel path 604 extending from thein-feed path 600 to the out-feed path 602, and the travel path 604 beingconfigured to accommodate travel of any one of the first sticker typeand the second sticker type from the in-feed path 600 to the out-feedpath 602. Clause (27): the apparatus of any clause mentioned in thisparagraph, further comprising: a fatal ejection path 601 extending fromthe travel path 604, and the fatal ejection path 601 is configured toeject the at least any one of the first sticker type and the secondsticker type in response to a sensor detecting a fatal dimension errorassociated with an instance of any one the first sticker type and thesecond sticker type, and the instance of the at least any one of thefirst sticker type and the second sticker type is not usable for feedingto the in-feed path 600. Clause (28): the apparatus of any clausementioned in this paragraph, further comprising: a non-fatal ejectionpath 603 extending from the travel path 604, and the non-fatal ejectionpath 603 is configured to eject the at least any one of the firststicker type and the second sticker type in response to a sensordetecting a non-fatal dimension error associated with an instance of anyone the first sticker type and the second sticker type, and the instanceof the at least any one of the first sticker type and the second stickertype is usable for feeding to the in-feed path 600. Clause (29): anapparatus 100, of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, for conveyingstickers to a lumber stack 10, further comprising: an in-feed path 600being configured to receive the stickers; an out-feed path 602 beingconfigured to convey and to place a collection of the stickers to thelumber stack 10 in accordance with a predetermined sticker pattern; atravel path 604 extending from the in-feed path 600 to the out-feed path602, and the travel path 604 being configured to accommodate travel ofthe stickers from the in-feed path 600 to the out-feed path 602; a fatalejection path 601 extending from the travel path 604, and the fatalejection path 601 is configured to eject an instance of the stickers inresponse to a first sensor detecting a fatal dimension error associatedwith the instance of the stickers, and the instance of the stickershaving the fatal dimension error is not usable for feeding to thein-feed path 600; and a non-fatal ejection path 603 extending from thetravel path 604, and the non-fatal ejection path 603 is configured toeject the instance of the stickers in response to a second sensordetecting a non-fatal dimension error associated with the instance ofthe stickers, and the instance of the stickers having the non-fataldimension error, but is mis-oriented and is usable for feeding to thein-feed path 600. Clause (30): a method of any clause mentioned in thisparagraph, further comprising: interfacing with an input of a conveyorsystem of an interface section having an input conveyance stream;interfacing with an output of the conveyor system having an outputconveyance stream; receiving items from the input of the conveyor systemat an intake rate in which the items are made available to the input;providing the items to the output of the conveyor system at an exit ratein which the items are required to exit from the output; and conveyingthe items through same path via multiple separate mechanisms. Clause(31): a method, of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, furthercomprising: operating at least two conveyors of an interface section atconveyance rates being independent of each other; receive from an inputconveyance stream of the at least two conveyors; and provide to anoutput conveyance stream of the at least two conveyors. Clause (32): amethod, of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, further comprising:interfacing endless-loop conveyors each of an interface section with aninput conveyance stream and with an output conveyance stream; receivingitems from the input conveyance stream at an intake rate in which theitems are made available from the input conveyance stream; and providingthe items to the output conveyance stream at an exit rate in which theitems are required to exit to the output conveyance stream. Clause (33):a method, of any clause mentioned in this paragraph, further comprising:interfacing endless-loop conveyors of an interface section with an inputconveyance stream and with an output conveyance stream, operating theendless-loop conveyors in such a way that: as an endless-loop conveyorreceives from the input conveyance stream, and the remainingendless-loop conveyors do not receive from the input conveyance stream;and as the endless-loop conveyor provides to the output conveyancestream, and any remaining endless-loop conveyors do not provide to theoutput conveyance stream. Clause (34): a method, of any clause mentionedin this paragraph, further comprising: interfacing endless-loopconveyors of an interface section with an input conveyance stream andwith an output conveyance stream; receiving items from the inputconveyance stream at an intake rate in which the items are madeavailable from the input conveyance stream; providing the items to theoutput conveyance stream at an exit rate in which the items are requiredto exit to the output conveyance stream; operating the endless-loopconveyors in such a way that: as an endless-loop conveyor receives fromthe input conveyance stream, and the remaining endless-loop conveyors donot receive from the input conveyance stream; and as the endless-loopconveyor provides to the output conveyance stream, and the remainingendless-loop conveyors do not provide to the output conveyance stream.Clause (35): a method, of any clause mentioned in this paragraph,further comprising: interfacing endless-loop conveyors of an interfacesection with an input conveyance stream and with an output conveyancestream; operating the endless-loop conveyors in such a way that: as anendless-loop conveyor receives, at least in part, from the inputconveyance stream, and the remaining endless-loop conveyors provide, atleast in part, to the output conveyance stream; and as the endless-loopconveyor provides, at least in part, to the output conveyance stream,and the remaining endless-loop conveyors receive, at least in part, fromthe input conveyance stream. Clause (36): a method, of any clausementioned in this paragraph, further comprising: interfacingendless-loop conveyors of an interface section with an input conveyancestream and with an output conveyance stream; receive items from theinput conveyance stream at an intake rate in which the items are madeavailable from the input conveyance stream; and provide the items to theoutput conveyance stream at an exit rate in which the items are requiredto exit to the output conveyance stream; and operating the endless-loopconveyors in such a way that: as an endless-loop conveyor receives, atleast in part, from the input conveyance stream, and the remainingendless-loop conveyors provide, at least in part, to the outputconveyance stream; and as the endless-loop conveyor provides, at leastin part, to the output conveyance stream, and the remaining endless-loopconveyors receive, at least in part, from the input conveyance stream.Clause (37): a method, of any clause mentioned in this paragraph,further comprising: interfacing endless-loop conveyors of an interfacesection with an input conveyance stream and with an output conveyancestream; operating the endless-loop conveyors in such a way that: as anendless-loop conveyor receives from the input conveyance stream, and theremaining endless-loop conveyors do not receive from the inputconveyance stream; as the endless-loop conveyor provides to the outputconveyance stream, and the remaining endless-loop conveyors do notprovide to the output conveyance stream; as the endless-loop conveyorreceives, at least in part, from the input conveyance stream, and theremaining endless-loop conveyors provide, at least in part, to theoutput conveyance stream; and as the endless-loop conveyor provides, atleast in part, to the output conveyance stream, and the remainingendless-loop conveyors receive, at least in part, from the inputconveyance stream. Clause (38): a method, of any clause mentioned inthis paragraph, further comprising: interfacing endless-loop conveyorsof an interface section with an input conveyance stream and with anoutput conveyance stream; receiving items from the input conveyancestream at an intake rate in which the items are made available from theinput conveyance stream; and providing the items to the outputconveyance stream at an exit rate in which the items are required toexit to the output conveyance stream; and operating the endless-loopconveyors in such a way that: as an endless-loop conveyor receives fromthe input conveyance stream, and the remaining endless-loop conveyors donot receive from the input conveyance stream; as the endless-loopconveyor provides to the output conveyance stream, and the remainingendless-loop conveyors do not provide to the output conveyance stream;as the endless-loop conveyor receives, at least in part, from the inputconveyance stream, and the remaining endless-loop conveyors provide, atleast in part, to the output conveyance stream; and as the endless-loopconveyor provides, at least in part, to the output conveyance stream,and the remaining endless-loop conveyors receive, at least in part, fromthe input conveyance stream. Clause (39): a method, of any clausementioned in this paragraph, further comprising: receiving respectivestickers by at least two feed sections, in which the at least two feedsections each have corresponding outputs being configured to be inselective conveyance communication with a downstream conveyance pathleading to a sticker-handling system. Clause (40): a method, of anyclause mentioned in this paragraph, further comprising: aligning asticker conveyed to a centering mechanism in such a way as to center thesticker in at least two centering points relative to a reference point.Clause (41): a method, of any clause mentioned in this paragraph,further comprising: receiving at least any one of a first sticker typeand a second sticker type by an in-feed path; conveying and placing acollection having any one of the first sticker type and the secondsticker type by an out-feed path to a lumber stack in accordance with apredetermined sticker pattern; and accommodating travel of any one ofthe first sticker type and the second sticker type from the in-feed pathto the out-feed path along a travel path extending from the in-feed pathto the out-feed path. Clause (42): a method, of any clause mentioned inthis paragraph, further comprising: receiving stickers along an in-feedpath; conveying and placing a collection of the stickers along anout-feed path being to the lumber stack in accordance with apredetermined sticker pattern; accommodating travel of the stickers fromthe in-feed path to the out-feed path along a travel path extending fromthe in-feed path to the out-feed path; ejecting an instance of thestickers in response to a first sensor detecting a fatal dimension errorassociated with the instance of the stickers, and the instance of thestickers having the fatal dimension error is not usable for feeding tothe in-feed path; and ejecting the instance of the stickers in responseto a second sensor detecting a non-fatal dimension error associated withthe instance of the stickers, and the instance of the stickers havingthe non-fatal dimension error, but is mis-oriented and is usable forfeeding to the in-feed path.

It may be appreciated that the assemblies and modules described abovemay be connected with each other as may be required to perform desiredfunctions and tasks that are within the scope of persons of skill in theart to make such combinations and permutations without having todescribe each and every one of them in explicit terms. There is noparticular assemblies, components that are superior to any of theequivalents available to the art. There is no particular mode ofpracticing the disclosed subject matter that is superior to others, solong as the functions may be performed. It is believed that all thecrucial aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been provided inthis document. It is understood that the scope of the present inventionis limited to the scope provided by the independent claim(s), and it isalso understood that the scope of the present invention is not limitedto: (i) the dependent claims, (ii) the detailed description of thenon-limiting embodiments, (iii) the summary, (iv) the abstract, and/or(v) description provided outside of this document (that is, outside ofthe instant application as filed, as prosecuted, and/or as granted). Itis understood, for the purposes of this document, the phrase “includes(and is not limited to)” is equivalent to the word “comprising.” It isnoted that the foregoing has outlined the non-limiting embodiments(examples). The description is made for particular non-limitingembodiments (examples). It is understood that the non-limitingembodiments are merely illustrative as examples.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: an interface section,including: at least two sets of at least one endless-loop conveyor, eachset being configured to interface with an input conveyance stream andwith an output conveyance stream; each set being configured to: receiveitems from the input conveyance stream at an intake rate in which theitems are made available from the input conveyance stream; and providethe items to the output conveyance stream at an exit rate in which theitems are required to exit to the output conveyance stream; and theendless-loop conveyors being configured to operate in such a way that:as a set receives, at least in part, from the input conveyance stream,the remaining set provides, at least in part, to the output conveyancestream; and as a set provides, at least in part, to the outputconveyance stream, the remaining set receives, at least in part, fromthe input conveyance stream.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: thesets are further configured to receive the items and to provide theitems in such a way that the items are received and are provided in anoverlapping fashion at least in part.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein: each set includes: an endless loop mechanism having protrusionsbeing configured to convey instances of the item one after the other. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: each set includes: at least oneganged continuous looped conveyor device having protrusions configuredto convey the items.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sets areconfigured to: operate at conveyance rates being independent of eachother.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the items are stickers foruse in lumber stacks.